Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: Cape Neddick (York)/ME/Gulf of Maine (1987, Berman et al. 1992; Lambert et al. 1992)
Geographic Extent
ME/York Harbor (1998, Whitlatch and Osman 2000); Cape Neddick (York)/ME/Gulf of Maine (1987, Berman et al. 1992; Lambert et al. 1992)
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Alternate | Ballast Water |
| Alternate | Hull Fouling |
Regional Impacts
| Ecological Impact | Competition | |
| At Cape Neddick, Membranipora membranacea covered extensive areas (22-52%) of the area of kelp (Laminaria saccharina = Saccharina latissima) fronds, potentially decreasing growth and photosynthesis. The bryozoan also largely replaced other kelp epibionts (Lambert et al. 1992). | ||
| Ecological Impact | Habitat Change | |
| Kelps overgrown by M. membranacea are more vulnerable to breaking and tearing during storm surges (Berman et al. 1992). Fouling by Membranipora membranacea killed kelps (Laminaria spp.) at Cape Neddick, Maine (Lambert et al. 1992). | ||
| Ecological Impact | Food/Prey | |
| Membranipora membranacea provides an additional food resource for the nudibranch Onchidoris muricata, possibly allowing it to reproduce earlier in the season (Pratt and Grason 2007; Membranipora membranacea provides an additional food resource for the nudibranch Onchidoris muricata, possibly allowing it to reproduce earlier in the season (Pratt and Grason 2007; Lambert et al. 2016).) | ||