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Invasive Tunicate “Marine Vomit”

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Invasive Tunicate “Marine Vomit” VOLUME 46 February/March 2013 Number 4 Invasive Tunicate “Marine Vomit” in Drakes Estero Is Cause for Serious Concern By Jude Stalker Because it rapidly overgrows hard sur- (Reprinted with permission from Marin faces, structures and shellfish, Dvex in- Audubon) vasions across the country and the world have caused tremendous problems and Recent observations in Drakes Estero concern over the past decade for both of the behavior of the invasive tunicate natural ecosystems and aquaculture op- Didemnum vexillum (aka marine vomit) erations. There are populations of Dvex along with the threat that it presents on the East Coast that have infested huge worldwide, are cause for serious concern areas of seabed, smothered large numbers Didemnum vexillum for such an ecologically valuable, feder- of native marine plants and animals, and Photo courtesy of Gerald Moore ally protected marine wilderness area. Didemnum vexillum (Dvex) is a highly GENERAL MEETINGS invasive non-native colonial tunicate (sea First United Methodist Church squirt) that has a texture of wet leather. 1551 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa Each colony of Dvex consists of thou- sands of tiny soft-bodied individuals PLEASE NOTE: The February and March General Meetings will be held in the church sanctuary instead of the community room. Please remember to bring your ownContinued beverage oncup page 2 called zooids embedded in a common (save paper!) to enjoy tea and coffee. membranous matrix. Dvex colonies are unpalatable to most other marine organ- February Meeting isms or birds. “Restoration of the Farallon Islands” Monday February 18, 7:30 PM Dvex colonies grow subtidally in bays Melissa Pitkin, Outreach and Education Group Director for PRBO Conservation Science and coastal waters and readily attach to will give us an update on activities related to the Farallones Islands restoration efforts by US hard surfaces such as rocks, shell, gravel, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary boulders, and all sorts of artificial struc- hosts the largest breeding seabird colony in the contiguous US, but the islands’ ecosystem tures. Dvex can reproduce sexually, re- is under threat from invasive species (particularly the house mouse). The USFWS plan to leasing its larvae into the water where it eradicate the mice over time will restore balance and protect the breeding sites of the Ashy Storm-petrel, a California Species of Special Concern. The project is controversial because will attach to a hard substrate and form this will affect the food supply for over-wintering Burrowing Owls (another Species of Spe- a new colony. New colonies can also be cial Concern) that prey on the mice and small seabirds. We will find out how the scientists produced through fragmentation. Lobes are dealing with this delicate issue. from a colony can break off, drift to a March Meeting new site, settle or become entangled in the “West County Hawk Watch” bottom, and grow out over the substrate. Monday March 18, 7:30 PM Sonoma County raptor specialist Larry Broderick will give us a look at our resident and migrating hawks, with tips on identifying birds of prey, where to look for them, and some To receive Leaves via email in PDF format just email your request to: of their interesting habits. Larry has studied raptors for two decades. He co-founded West County Hawk Watch in 1990 for documenting migration, and studying Ferruginous Hawks [email protected] and the resurging population of Bald Eagles in our county. He currently gives tours and You will get your copy faster and help save paper. workshops on Sonoma Land Trust properties and throughout Sonoma County. MADRONE LEAVES MARINE VOMIT In 2010 Dr. Ted Grosholz, a researcher It is clear that to successfully manage this Continued from page 1 from UC Davis, conducted surveys of infestation all of the prime Dvex habitat have drastically changed the species com- fouling invertebrates on some of the oys- that the DBOC infrastructure (racks, lines, position of the benthic community. It has ter racks in Drakes Estero and found that shells, bags) provides should be removed. been well documented that the most im- Dvex was prominent among them. He I have been a biologist working with in- portant factor in controlling an invasion observed large colonies of Dvex growing vasive species for many years and know of Dvex is through early detection and on the leaf shoots of some of the native too well the disastrous and costly ecologi- rapid response to the infestation, such as eelgrass. Until Dr. Grosholz’s surveys, it cal repercussions of delaying the removal took place in Sitka, Alaska in 2010. was thought to be very unlikely that Dvex of invasive species or not responding to would grow on eelgrass in Drakes Estero. No one knows for sure how or when this them at all. I don’t think this is a risk His observations are of great ecological invader arrived in Drakes Estero from its worth taking with the Dvex invasion in concern because eelgrass is one of the native Japan. Many of the Pacific oysters Drakes Estero. most highly productive habitats on the cultivated by the Drakes Bay Oyster Com- California Coast and plays a vital role in pany (DBOC) were originally imported providing nursery habitat for many fish • • • • • • from Japan and Dvex may have arrived as species and forage areas for Black Brant a “hitch hiker” years ago on the imported and other waterfowl. Research has shown Announcements oysters. It can also spread by ocean cur- that invasive colonial tunicates such as rents and settle in new places that have Sonoma County Breeding Bird Dvex can have negative effects on eelgrass adequate substrate for it to establish. Atlas (BBA) - Year 3 - growth, survival, and light transmission. New Volunteer Orientation Following this alarming discovery, we also We are entering our third and critical observed large amounts of the tunicate year of surveys for the 2nd edition of while kayaking with the Dvex research- the Sonoma County BBA. There are ers in Drakes Estero this past August. It still many available blocks. Volunteers covered more than 50% of the cultivated are needed to help survey these blocks. oyster shells hanging from the Oyster Join us for this fun and rewarding Cit- Company’s racks and we were shocked izen Science project. to see significant amounts of the Dvex colonizing the floor of the eelgrass beds New Volunteer Orientation: below and adjacent to the oyster racks. To Saturday February 23, 10-2 PM my knowledge, this occurrence had not 4300 Llano Road, Santa Rosa been reported before and was believed by Contact Veronica Bowers at many to be impossible. [email protected] to sign up. The National Park Service (NPS) has Calling all BBA volunteers. There are been notified of this observation. What blocks that still need volunteers. Didemnum vexillum action they will take is unknown but the Photo courtesy of Gerald Moore NPS Management Policies require re- Native Songbird Care & Conservation Since its arrival, it has been persisting moval of impacts that would cause “im- - New Volunteer Orientation and reproducing on the cultivated oys- pairment” or “unacceptable impacts” to Located in Sebastopol, Native Song- ter shells and bags in Drakes Estero. The any key park resource, such as eelgrass bird Care & Conservation specializes harvesting activities of DBOC cause and the associated benthic community in the care of native songbirds, with fragmentation of the Dvex and facilitate in this case. Additionally, because Drakes an emphasis on migratory insecti- the colonization of other areas of the Es- Estero is designated as a potential wil- vores. We receive over 700 songbirds tero. A limited amount of it was found derness area, the park managers are also each year and release approximately growing on natural solid mud and sand- required to “seek to sustain the natural 75% of them back to the wild. From stone substrates and rocks at Bull Point distribution, numbers, population com- May through August, volunteers are in 2007, but until very recently many position, and interaction of indigenous needed to help feed and care for baby believed that it would not spread to the species” and to intervene to “correct past birds, transport birds to the hospital, floor of the Estero or become attached to mistakes, the impacts of human use, and respond to calls from the public, and the eelgrass plants. influences originating outside of wilder- assist with administrative tasks. ness boundaries”. Page 2 Continued on page 3 MADRONE LEAVES ANNOUNCEMENTS Continued from page 2 wintering waterfowl and shorebirds where standing water is available, this Are you a National Together we can make a difference for information, with an expression of concern, Audubon member? Sonoma County’s songbirds! Become a was provided in our testimony during You’re halfway there! volunteer at NSCC and help us give the hearing process. Become a full Sonoma County injured, orphaned, and ill native song- A vertical axis small wind energy system environmentalist! Join our local birds a second chance to return to the is being installed at the Cliff House chapter, Madrone Audubon! wild and fly free again. For more in- Restaurant in San Francisco. The vertical formation, please visit our website at (see membership form, back page) axis system is designed to have less impact www.nativesongbirdcare.org. on the environment and be more flying- friendly. We invite members to observe New Volunteer Orientation: BIRD-A-THON 2013... this system in action once it’s operating; Saturday March 16, 10-Noon please share your observations with us. 24 Hours for Fun and 4300 Llano Road, Santa Rosa Profit!! Registration required, call 484-6502 • • • • • • February is the month for Madrone’s largest • • • • • • Just when you thought fundraiser, though some teams may dally a you were finished with bit into March.
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