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Alien Species

Soil & Water Conservation Society of Metro Halifax (SWCSMH)

July 26, 2006

Table 1: Alien species that probably have strong effects on native freshwater mollusks in North America (Strayer, 1999)
Species Range Habitats Effects

Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel) eastern USA, southeastern Canada; expanding hardwater lakes and rivers strong declines in bivalves; large increases in gastropods
Corbicula fluminea (Asian clam) continental USA, except for some northern states; Hawaii lakes, rivers, and creeks strong declines in bivalves in at least some ecosystems
Potamopyrgus antipodarum (New Zealand mud-snail) Snake River, Madison River, Lake Ontario; expanding lakes, rivers, creeks, estuaries possibly competitive effects on gastropods
Orconectes rusticus (rusty crayfish) native to midwest, but introduced to north and east; expanding lakes, streams strong declines in gastropods
Neogobius melanostomus (round goby) Great Lakes; expanding large lakes, rivers, estuaries probably causes declines in nearshore mollusks
Lepomis microlophus (red-ear sunfish native to southeast, but introduced to north and west lakes, ponds strong declines in gastropods
Lepomis gibbosus (pumpkinseed sunfish) native to northeast, but widely introduced elsewhere lakes, ponds strong declines in gastropods
various aquatic plants (cf. Table 2) most bodies of water in USA and southern Canada contain at least 1 alien plant species most well lit, quiet waters probably strong effects on gastropod abundance and species composition

Table 1: Alien species that probably have strong effects on native freshwater mollusks in North America (Strayer, 1999)
Species	Range	Habitats	Effects
Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel)	eastern USA, southeastern Canada; expanding	hardwater lakes and rivers	strong declines in bivalves; large increases in gastropods
Corbicula fluminea (Asian clam)	continental USA, except for some northern states; Hawaii	lakes, rivers, and creeks	strong declines in bivalves in at least some ecosystems
Potamopyrgus antipodarum (New Zealand mud-snail)	Snake River, Madison River, Lake Ontario; expanding	lakes, rivers, creeks, estuaries	possibly competitive effects on gastropods
Orconectes rusticus (rusty crayfish)	native to midwest, but introduced to north and east; expanding	lakes, streams	strong declines in gastropods
Neogobius melanostomus (round goby)	Great Lakes; expanding	large lakes, rivers, estuaries	probably causes declines in nearshore mollusks
Lepomis microlophus (red-ear sunfish	native to southeast, but introduced to north and west	lakes, ponds	strong declines in gastropods
Lepomis gibbosus (pumpkinseed sunfish)	native to northeast, but widely introduced elsewhere	lakes, ponds	strong declines in gastropods
various aquatic plants (cf. Table 2)	most bodies of water in USA and southern Canada contain at least 1 alien plant species	most well lit, quiet waters	probably strong effects on gastropod abundance and species composition

Table 2: Examples of alien freshwater plants that probably affect local molluscan communities in North America (Strayer, 1999)
Taxon Common name

Ceratopteris thalictroides water sprite
Salvinia spp.
Marsilea quadrifolia European water-clover
Hydrilla verticillata hydrilla
Eichornia crassipes water hyacinth
Egeria densa Brazilian waterweed
Lythrum salicaria purple loosestrife
Trapa natans water chestnut
Potamogeton crispus curly pondweed
Nasturtium officinale watercress
Myriophyllum spicatum Eurasian water-milfoil

Table 2: Examples of alien freshwater plants that probably affect local molluscan communities in North America (Strayer, 1999)
Taxon	Common name
Ceratopteris thalictroides	water sprite
Salvinia spp.
Marsilea quadrifolia	European water-clover
Hydrilla verticillata	hydrilla
Eichornia crassipes	water hyacinth
Egeria densa	Brazilian waterweed
Lythrum salicaria	purple loosestrife
Trapa natans	water chestnut
Potamogeton crispus	curly pondweed
Nasturtium officinale	watercress
Myriophyllum spicatum	Eurasian water-milfoil

Table 3: Alien species of freshwater mollusks that have become established in North America. The list excludes species whose range within North America has been expanded by humans (Strayer, 1999)
Taxon Probable origin North American range

Bivalves
Sphaeriidae
  Sphaerium corneum Europe Ontario and New York to Ohio; large lakes and rivers
  Pisidium amnicum Europe Great Lakes to New Jersey and Ottawa, Canada; large lakes and rivers
  Pisidium henslowanum Europe scattered in Canada and northern USA
  Pisidium punctiferum Central America Florida, Texas
Dreissenidae
  Dreissena polymorpha Europe eastern North America, expanding; lakes and medium to large streams and rivers
  Dreissena bugensis Europe eastern Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, expanding; rivers and lakes
Corbiculidae
  Corbicula fluminea southeast Asia most of USA, but scattered or absent from the coldest states; lakes, rivers, and smaller streams
  Corbicula sp. 2 Asia Texas to Arizona; spring-fed streams
Gastropods
Valvatidae
  Valvata piscinalis Europe Lakes Erie, Ontario, and Cayuga; Hudson and St. Lawrence Rivers
Viviparidae
  Cipangopaludina chinensis
    malleata Japan widely scattered in quiet waters throughout USA and southern Canada
  Cipangopaludina japonica Japan widely scattered in quiet waters throughout USA and southern Canada
Pilidae
  Marisa cornuarietis South or Central America Florida, Texas
  Pomacea bridgesi South America Florida
Bithyniidae
  Bithynia tentaculata Europe northeastern North America; lakes and rivers
Hydrobiidae
  Potamopyrgus antipodarum New Zealand Snake River, Madison River (Montana), Lake Ontario; probably will spread widely
Thiaridae
  Melanoides tuberculatus unknown Florida, Texas, Arizona
  Melanoides turriculus Philippines Florida
  Tarebia granifera Asia, Oceania Florida, Texas
Lymnaeidae
  Radix auricularia Europ scattered through North America
Physidae
  Physella acuta Europe unknown
  Stenophysa marmorata South and Central America Texas
  Stenophysa maugeriae Mexico Texas
Planorbidae
  Biomphalaria glabrata South America Florida

Table 3: Alien species of freshwater mollusks that have become established in North America. The list excludes species whose range within North America has been expanded by humans (Strayer, 1999)
Taxon	Probable origin	North American range
Bivalves
Sphaeriidae
Sphaerium corneum	Europe	Ontario and New York to Ohio; large lakes and rivers
Pisidium amnicum	Europe	Great Lakes to New Jersey and Ottawa, Canada; large lakes and rivers
Pisidium henslowanum	Europe	scattered in Canada and northern USA
Pisidium punctiferum	Central America	Florida, Texas
Dreissenidae
Dreissena polymorpha	Europe	eastern North America, expanding; lakes and medium to large streams and rivers
Dreissena bugensis	Europe	eastern Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, expanding; rivers and lakes
Corbiculidae
Corbicula fluminea	southeast Asia	most of USA, but scattered or absent from the coldest states; lakes, rivers, and smaller streams
Corbicula sp. 2	Asia	Texas to Arizona; spring-fed streams
Gastropods
Valvatidae
Valvata piscinalis	Europe	Lakes Erie, Ontario, and Cayuga; Hudson and St. Lawrence Rivers
Viviparidae
Cipangopaludina chinensis malleata	Japan	widely scattered in quiet waters throughout USA and southern Canada
Cipangopaludina japonica	Japan	widely scattered in quiet waters throughout USA and southern Canada
Pilidae
Marisa cornuarietis	South or Central America	Florida, Texas
Pomacea bridgesi	South America	Florida
Bithyniidae
Bithynia tentaculata	Europe	northeastern North America; lakes and rivers
Hydrobiidae
Potamopyrgus antipodarum	New Zealand	Snake River, Madison River (Montana), Lake Ontario; probably will spread widely
Thiaridae
Melanoides tuberculatus	unknown	Florida, Texas, Arizona
Melanoides turriculus	Philippines	Florida
Tarebia granifera	Asia, Oceania	Florida, Texas
Lymnaeidae
Radix auricularia	Europ	scattered through North America
Physidae
Physella acuta	Europe	unknown
Stenophysa marmorata	South and Central America	Texas
Stenophysa maugeriae	Mexico	Texas
Planorbidae
Biomphalaria glabrata	South America	Florida

References:

Mackie, G.L. 1998. Applied Aquatic Ecosystem Concepts. University of Guelph Custom Coursepack. 12 chapters, Index.
Strayer, D.L. 1999. Effects of alien species on freshwater mollusks in North America. J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 18(1):74-98.

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