Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: WA/Willapa Bay (1988, Dumbauld et al. 2011; Chapman et al. 2012);
Geographic Extent
Goose Point/WA/Willapa Bay (1/19/2009, Williams and An 2009); WA/Willapa Bay (Floyd and Chapman 2005, parasitic on Upogebia pugettensis; Chapman et al. 2012);
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Alternate | Discarded Bait |
| Alternate | Natural Dispersal |
Regional Impacts
| Ecological Impact | Parasitism | |
| The decline of Upogebia pugettensis in Willapa Bay showed patterns consistent with a failure of recruitment, due to reproductive castration of adults. Shrimp abundance decreased as the isopod prevalence increased, although isopod parasitism did not affect adult mortality. However, infected shrimp failed to reproduce (Dumbauld et al. 2011). | ||
| Ecological Impact | Trophic Cascade | |
| A decline in abundance of Upogebia pugettensis has been observed throughout its range, coinciding with the arrival of the parasite (Griffen 2009). The mud shrimp is a major player in the foodweb of northeast Pacific estuaries, as a suspension-feeder and intertidal prey item for birds and fishes, and is also an important ecosystem engineer as a burrower (Smith et al. 2008; Griffen 2009). | ||