Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: CA/Bodega Bay (Geller et al. 2008, Mackie et al. 2012, molecular identification)
Geographic Extent
CA/Humboldt Bay (Geller et al. 2008; Mackie et al. 2012)
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Probable | Hull Fouling |
| Alternate | None |
Regional Impacts
| Ecological Impact | Competition | |
| Watersipora n. sp. is a newly identified, and still undescribed, species, so knowledge of its ecology and impacts is limited. However, it was found to monopolize sites in Humboldt Bay (Geller et al. 2008). Wilson (2001) found that it initially out-competed other species on fouling plates, coming to dominate the surface of the plates. | ||
| Ecological Impact | Habitat Change | |
| As colonies came to dominate the two-dimensional surface of the fouling plates, they grew upwards, forming a three-dimensional structure which was utilized by a variety of organisms, increasing the diversity or species on the plates (Wilson 2011). | ||