Distribution of the introduced amphipod, Caprella mutica Schurin, 1935, on the west coast of Scotland and a review of its global distribution.

Gail Ashton, Kate J Willis, Elizabeth Cook, Michael Burrows

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Caprella mutica Schurin, 1935 was first described from sub-boreal areas of north-east Asia. In less than 40 years C. mutica has spread throughout the northern hemisphere and the first recorded sighting in the southern hemisphere is reported here. Caprella mutica has been introduced to temperate oceanic coasts between latitudes of 25 and 70 degrees N. Outside its native range, C. mutica has only been found in areas of human activity, including ports, aquaculture facilities and an oilrig; the species has not yet been found in natural habitats. Shipping and aquaculture transfers are the most likely long distance vectors; recreational boating and drifting weed are the most likely short distance vectors. Temperature and salinity do not explain the small-scale distribution of C. mutica on the west coast of Scotland; globally its annual temperature range is 0-22 degrees C. This suggests that the local scale distribution of C. mutica is potentially limited by the availability of suitable transportation vectors during the dispersal phase rather than by physical environmental factors following release.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-41
Number of pages11
JournalHydrobiologia
Issue number0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007

Keywords

  • COMMUNITIES
  • CRUSTACEA
  • NORTH-AFRICA
  • INVASION
  • BIODIVERSITY
  • Marine & Freshwater Biology
  • LATITUDINAL GRADIENT
  • PACIFIC COAST
  • SEAWEED
  • GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
  • DISPERSAL

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Distribution of the introduced amphipod, Caprella mutica Schurin, 1935, on the west coast of Scotland and a review of its global distribution.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this