Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: Wellington, South Island/New Zealand/Evans Bay (1972, Read 1975, on Atrina pectinata zelandica,, Rough Pen Shell)
Geographic Extent
Marsden Point Wharf, Whangarei, North Island/Whangarei Harbour (2002, Inglis et al. 2006e); New Zealand/Mahurangi, North Island/New Zealand/Mahurangi Bay (Handley and Berquist 1997, infesting Crassostrea gigas (1991, Handley and Berquist 1997); Wellington, South Island/New Zealand/Evans Bay (Read 1975, on Atrina pectinata zelandica, Rough Pen Shell); Wellington, South Island/New Zealand/Mahanga Bay, Wellington Harbour (9/73, Read 1975); South Island/New Zealand/Admiralty Bay, Marlborough Sound (1992, Handley 1995)
Vectors
Level | Vector |
---|---|
Alternate | Oyster Accidental |
Alternate | Ballast Water |
Alternate | Hull Fouling |
Regional Impacts
Economic Impact | Fisheries | |
Polydora hoplura bored into the shells of cultured Pacific Oysters, Crassostrea gigas, in Mahurangi Bay, North Island. The worms created holes in the shells, inducing the formation of mud blisters inside the shell, and lowering the quality of the oysters. A 12-hour exposure to fresh water or a 40 second exposure to 70ºC heat reduced the infestation after a 2-month recovery period (Handley and Bergquist 1997). | ||