No Frontiers in the Sea for Marine Invaders and Their Parasites? (Research Project ZBS2004/09)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
No Frontiers in the Sea for Marine Invaders and their Parasites? (Research Project ZBS2004/09) Biosecurity New Zealand Technical Paper No: 2008/10 Prepared for BNZ Pre-clearance Directorate by Annette M. Brockerhoff and Colin L. McLay ISBN 978-0-478-32177-7 (Online) ISSN 1177-6412 (Online) May 2008 Disclaimer While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this publication is accurate, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry does not accept any responsibility or liability for error or fact omission, interpretation or opinion which may be present, nor for the consequences of any decisions based on this information. Any view or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the official view of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The information in this report and any accompanying documentation is accurate to the best of the knowledge and belief of the authors acting on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. While the authors have exercised all reasonable skill and care in preparation of information in this report, neither the authors nor the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry accept any liability in contract, tort or otherwise for any loss, damage, injury, or expense, whether direct, indirect or consequential, arising out of the provision of information in this report. Requests for further copies should be directed to: MAF Communications Pastoral House 25 The Terrace PO Box 2526 WELLINGTON Tel: 04 894 4100 Fax: 04 894 4227 This publication is also available on the MAF website at www.maf.govt.nz/publications © Crown Copyright - Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Contents Page Executive Summary 1 General background for project 3 Part 1. Survey of five ports for the two non-indigenous crabs Glebocarcinus amphioetus and Romaleon gibbosulum (Crustacea: Cancridae) in New Zealand 4 1.1 Abstract 4 1.2 Introduction 4 1.3 Methods 5 1.4 Results 11 1.5 Discussion 14 Part 2. Size distribution, habitat and parasite investigations of the crabs Glebocarcinus amphioetus and Romaleon gibbosulum (Crustacea: Cancridae) in their native distribution 16 2.1 Abstract 16 2.2 Introduction 16 2.3 Methods 17 2.4 Results 19 2.5 Discussion 21 Part 3. Parasite fauna of the endemic crab Metacarcinus novaezelandiae (Crustacea: Cancridae) in New Zealand 26 3.1 Abstract 26 3.2 Introduction 27 3.3 Methods 27 3.4 Results 29 3.5 Discussion 34 Part 4. Overview of non-indigenous brachyuran decapods worldwide 40 4.1 Abstract 40 4.2 Introduction 40 4.3 Methods 42 4.4 Results 43 4.5 Discussion 83 Conclusions and recommendations 88 Acknowledgements 88 References 89 Appendices 104 i Executive Summary This report describes the results of a study investigating the geographic distribution of two non-indigenous crabs, Romaleon gibbosulum and Glebocarcinus amphioetus (Decapoda: Cancridae), in the North and South Island of New Zealand. In addition, we investigated their size distribution, habitats and parasite fauna in their Japanese native range. The parasite fauna of the New Zealand native crab Metacarcinus novaezelandiae (Decapoda: Cancridae) was also investigated to assess whether they have parasites that might potentially infect the two non-indigenous cancrid crabs and therefore could be used for controlling invader populations. Finally, we reviewed the diversity and occurrence of non-indigenous crabs (Brachyura) worldwide to identify patterns in their invasion biology. To determine the distribution and relative abundance of the two non-indigenous cancrid crabs identified during MAFBNZ port surveys, a variety of methods were used to sample a large range of habitats in areas where these species were previously detected (Gisborne, Wellington, Lyttelton, Timaru and Bluff), as well as at several pristine sites on the Banks Peninsula. Despite intensive sampling effort from February 2005 to March 2007, no further R. gibbosulum or G. amphioetus were found in New Zealand. The apparently transient occurrence of these exotic crab species is somewhat surprising considering the wide regional distribution (North and South Islands) and temporal extent of the original first records (R. gibbosulum in November 2001 and G. amphioetus in January 2003). Explanations for the current apparent absence of the exotic cancrid species could either be due to a) small ‘starter’ populations that were too small to establish a self-sustaining population, b) environmental conditions that are not compatible in the long-term to support these species, c) changes in propagule pressure (i.e. decrease), or d) a very small population still in the lag phase of its establishment and having a low probability of being sampled. Overall, the New Zealand environment appears to have similar habitats to the ones reported from the crabs’ native range in Japan, and therefore New Zealand could well provide suitable habitat for these crab species in the future. The parasite fauna of G. amphioetus and R. gibbosulum was investigated in their native habitat in Japan in July and August 2006 using fresh and preserved material from over 20 locations, but primarily from Ise Bay and Osaka Bay (Honshu). A total of 160 specimens were examined: 149 R. gibbosulum and 11 G. amphioetus. The size ranges of the specimens suggest that the original New Zealand records of the two taxa included mature adults (R. gibbosulum), and individuals probably nearing maturity (G. amphioetus), indicating that both taxa could have potentially bred. All crabs were examined externally and some internally for the presence of parasites or symbionts, however none were found. Depth distribution and habitat use in Japan demonstrate that these two Asian cancrid species occupy in part a very similar habitat to that of the New Zealand endemic cancrid crab M. novaezelandiae, and the common grapsid crabs Hemigrapsus crenulatus and Hemigrapsus sexdentatus, which occur in the rocky to sandy, shelly intertidal and subtidal in New Zealand. The parasite fauna of the non-indigenous Asian cancrid crabs in New Zealand was not investigated as none of the species were found during this project. The parasite fauna of the endemic crab M. novaezelandiae was investigated to evaluate whether native parasites are present that could potentially increase the biological resistance against the spread of the non-indigenous cancrid crabs. Two exciting discoveries were made: a castrating parasite (a barnacle) on M. novaezelandiae and an egg predator (a ribbon worm) on the red rock crab Plagusia chabrus (Plagusiidae). None of these families were previously MAF Biosecurity New Zealand No frontiers in the sea for marine invaders and their parasites? • 1 known from New Zealand and are likely endemics. Most (93.5% of 1118) cancrid crabs in Wellington were infected by the rhizocephalan barnacle parasite (Heterosaccus sp.). Surprisingly, this rhizocephalan has so far not been found anywhere else in New Zealand even though 2528 crabs were collected from other sites. The reproductive cycle of the rhizocephalan in Wellington appears to be continuous throughout the year with a slight peak of newly emerging externas in early summer. Cancrid crabs from our other collection sites have a range of minor external epibionts, but overall the populations appear to be in a very healthy state in regards to any pathology except in Wellington. The ribbon worm was found in several locations on the North and South Island from collections made during the exotic crab surveys, and from Te Papa museum specimens. The discoveries of a new rhizocephalan parasite and a nemertean egg predator are important for our understanding of the population dynamics of native and exotic New Zealand crabs. For example, the localised occurrence of these new species indicates that some crab populations are fairly isolated. Moreover, these newfound species might play an important role in the biotic resistance of New Zealand’s marine environment by lowering densities of non-indigenous crabs. Comparative genetic work has been carried out on the New Zealand Heterosaccus sp. and it was shown that the New Zealand species was significantly different from the other species tested and most closely related to the European species Sacculina carcini, which infects among others the European shore crab Carcinus maenas. The New Zealand Heterosaccus might provide the first line of defence should C. maenas arrive in the country. Literature reviews revealed 57 non-indigenous brachyuran decapods in 25 families, of which 32 species (57.1%) have become established. Three brachyuran superfamilies stand out in their high number of recorded non-indigenous species: Portunoidea (swimming crabs), Grapsoidea (shore crabs) and Majioidea (spider crabs), with fifteen, eight and seven species, respectively. Xanthoidea (mud crabs) are remarkable as all five of their recorded non- indigenous species have also become established. The Cancroidea include in total six species which have been recorded outside their native range, but so far only one has become established. The families Portunidae (swimming crabs), Varunidae (‘grapsid crabs’) and Leucosiidae (pebble crabs) are the families with the highest number of established exotic species, with ten, four and three, respectively. The Mediterranean Sea has the highest number of non-indigenous brachyuran species (42, with 19 established) as many have invaded through the Suez Canal. In New Zealand four brachyuran species have been recorded (Pyromaia tuberculata, Charybdis japonica, G. amphioetus and R. gibbosulum), of which P. tuberculata and C. japonica have become established. In