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- Title
Prevalence and Distribution of the Introduced Burrowing Isopod, Sphaeroma Quoianum, in the Intertidal Zone of a Temperate Northeast Pacific Estuary (Isopoda, Flabellifera).
- Authors
Davidson, Timothy M.
- Abstract
The Australasian burrowing isopod, Sphaeroma quoianum, was introduced to San Francisco Bay, California in the late 19th century and is now found in fifteen estuaries ranging from San Quintin Bay, Baja California to Yaquina Bay, Oregon. In some estuaries, S. quoianum achieve high densities, accelerate shoreline erosion, and damage maritime structures. To determine the distribution, habitat use, and prevalence of this destructive bioeroder within the intertidal zone of Coos Bay, Oregon, a series of field surveys was conducted. Intertidal substrata at 373 haphazardly selected sites throughout the estuary were examined for the presence of S. quoianum and their burrows. Four intertidal substrata were suitable for S. quoianum burrowing: marsh banks, wood, friable rock, and Styrofoam. Isopods were found more frequently at sites with wood than sites with other substrata. Sphaeroma quoianum and burrows were present at approximately 50% and 76% of respective sites containing a substratum suitable for burrowing. Significantly more isopods and burrows were encountered in mesohaline (>5-18) and polyhaline (>18-30) salinities than euhaline (>30) or oligohaline salinities (0.5-5). Low salinity is likely the primary factor limiting isopod populations in the upper estuary. However, the factor(s) limiting lower estuarine distributions are unclear. Factors typically limiting intertidal organisms (salinity, water temperature, dispersal, substrata availability/quality, predation, and competition) do not adequately explain the absence of S. quoianum in the lower estuary.
- Subjects
YAQUINA Bay (Or.); OREGON; ISOPODA; SPHAEROMA; SPHAEROMATIDAE; BURROWING animals; ESTUARIES; SHORELINES; ANIMAL burrowing; BAYS
- Publication
Crustaceana, 2008, Vol 81, Issue 2, p155
- ISSN
0011-216X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1163/156854008783476189