Marenzelleria viridis
Date of introduction and origin
Marenzelleria viridis was found in 1982 in the Firth
of Forth (McLusky, Hull & Elliott 1993) and the Firth of Tay in
1984 (Atkins, Jones & Garwood 1987). It was first recorded on
the European mainland coast in the Ems estuary (lying between
Germany and The Netherlands) in 1983 (Essink & Kleef 1988).
This species occurs naturally on the east coast of North America
from where it was probably introduced.
Method of introduction
The species was probably transported as larvae and/or adults
in ballast water. This theory is supported by collection of
specimens in a plankton tow in a North American estuary (Maciolek
1984).
Reasons for success
Although the species has an exceptionally large reproductive
potential (Sarda, Valiela & Foreman 1995) Atkins, Jones, &
Garwood (1987) reported that in the period 1984-1986 recruitment
occurred only once. There appear to be no recent data on
reproduction in Britain.
Rate of spread and methods involved
Unknown.
Distribution
In the UK it has been found in the Firth of Forth, Firth of
Tay and Humber estuary. It is also found in estuaries on the
European side of the North Sea and in the Baltic (Essink &
Kleef 1993; Bastrop, Röhner & Jürss 1995).
Factors likely to influence spread and distribution
Shipping may influence its spread
Effects on the environment
In the Tay, M. viridis occurred at greater sediment
depths than other species in an intertidal mudflat, yet its
distribution and population densities were negatively correlated
with all other species (Atkins, Jones & Garwood 1987). In the
Ems estuary in The Netherlands, increasing densities of
Marenzelleria viridis in a sandy habitat coincided with a
reduced abundance of the polychaete Hediste diversicolor,
and density fluctuations of M. viridis and the amphipod
Corophium volutator showed a significant positive
relationship (Essink & Kleef 1993). However, the cause of these
effects is not understood, and may be environmental factors rather
than species interactions. Recent studies in the Ems estuary by
Essink, Eppinga & Dekker (in prep.) demonstrated an inverse
abundance and biomass relationship between the introduced spionid
polychaete M. viridis and the previously most abundant
native polychaete Hediste diversicolor, indicating that
competition occurs between the two species.
Effects on commercial interests
None.
Control methods used and effectiveness
None used.
Beneficial effects
None known in Britain. In the Ems, M. viridis is
preyed upon by plaice Pleuronectes platessa and flounder
Platichthys flesus (Essink & Kleef 1993).
Comments
The biology of this species has been studied in the Tay
estuary in Britain (Atkins, Jones & Garwood 1987) and various
sites in mainland Europe, including the Ems estuary (Essink &
Kleef 1993). There are also extensive studies (on the ecology,
physiology, genetics, larval ecology and reproduction) of the
species underway in German Baltic waters at the University of
Rostock, Institute of Baltic Sea Research (K. Essink pers.
comm.).
References
Atkins, S.M., Jones, A.M., & Garwood, P.R. 1987. The
ecology and reproductive cycle of a population of Marenzelleria
viridis (Annelida: Polychaeta: Spionidae) in the Tay Estuary.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh,
92B: 311-322.
Bastrop, R., Röhner, M., & Jürss K. 1995. Are there two
species of the polychaete genus Marenzelleria in Europe?
Marine Biology, 121: 509.
Bick, A. 1995. Entwicklungsbedingte Veränderungen von
morphologischen Merkmalen bei Marenzelleria viridis
(Verill), (Spionidae) und Manayunkia aestuarina (Bourne),
(Sabellidae). Mitteilungen hamburgischen zoologischen Museum
und Institut: 92\: 41-53.
Essink, K., & Kleef, H.L. 1988. Marenzelleria
viridis (Verrill, 1873) (Polychaeta: Spionidae): a new record
from the Ems estuary (The Netherlands/Federal Republic of Germany).
Zoologische Bijdragen, 38: 1-13.
Essink, K., & Kleef, H.L. 1993. Distribution and life
cycle of the North American spionid polychaete Marenzelleria
viridis in the Ems estuary. In: Proceedings of
the 21st Symposium of the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences
Association held in Ghent, 9-14 September 1991. Marine and
estuarine gradients (ECSA 21), ed. by P. Meire &
M. Vincx. Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology,
27: 237-246.
Essink, K., Eppinga, J., & Dekker, R. In prep. Long-term
changes (1977-1994) in intertidal macrozoobenthos of the dollard
(Ems estuary) and effects of introductions of the North American
spionid polychaete Marenzelleria viridis (Verrill,
1873).
Maciolek, N.J. 1984. New records and species of
Marenzelleria Mesnil and Scolecolepides Ehlers
(Polychaeta: Spionidae) from north-eastern North America.
Proceedings of the first international Polychaete
Conference, Sydney, ed. by P.A. Hutchings, 48-62. The
Linnean Society of New South Wales.
McLusky, D.S., Hull, S.C., & Elliott, M. 1993. Variations
in the intertidal and subtidal macrofauna and sediments along a
salinity gradient in the upper Forth estuary. Netherlands
Journal of Aquatic Ecology, 27: 101-109.
Sarda , R., Valiela, I., & Foreman, K. 1995. Life cycle,
demography, and production of Marenzelleria viridis in a
salt marsh of southern New England. Journal of the Marine
Biological Association of the United Kingdom,75:
725-739.
Acknowledgements (contributions from questionnaire)
Dr S. Atkins, Scottish Natural Heritage.
Dr K. Essink, National Institute for Coastal and Marine
Management, The Netherlands