Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: Russia-Khazakstan/Caspian Sea (1940, Spassky 1945; Aladin et al. 2002; Ghasemi et al. 2013) Nereid polychaetes, initially identified as N. succinea, were introduced to the Caspian Sea, as fish-forage (Spassky 1945). These worms were later re-identified as Hediste (=Neanthes) diversicolor, and the identification of N. succinea was considered mistaken (Chepalyga and Tarasov 1997). However Ghasemi et al. (2013) found both species in Caspian waters in Iran. They pointed out that nereid worms had become a major food item for pelagic fishes by 1949. Since N. succinea has a pelagic spawning (heteronereis) phase, and H. diversicolor doesn't , it is likely that both species were introduced (Ghasemi et al. 2013).
Geographic Extent
Russia-Kazakhstan/Caspian Sea (1940, Aladin 2002; Ghasemi et al. 2013); Mazandaran Province/Iran/Caspian Sea (Ghasemi et al. 2013).
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Probable | Fisheries Intentional |
Regional Impacts
| Ecological Impact | Food/Prey | |
| Alitta succinea, together with Hediste diversicolor, were added as fish forage to enhance Caspian Sea fisheries in the 1940s. By 1949, the pelagic heteronereis spawning stage of A. succinea had become a major food item of planktivorous fishes (shad, Alosa saposhnikovi and sprat, Clupeonella engrauliformis). This worm is probably also a major food source for benthic fishes, such as sturgeon, Striped Mullet (Mugil cephalus), and gobies (Neogobius sp.)(Karpinsky et al. 2005, cited by Ghasemi et al. 2013). | ||
| Economic Impact | Fisheries | |
| Alitta succinea, together with Hediste diversicolor, were added as fish forage to enhance Caspian Sea fisheries in the 1940s (Spassky 1945; Ghasemi et al. 2013) | ||