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 Mediterranean
fan worm
Sabella spallanzanii
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Overview
This
pest is not yet found in New Zealand, although it is found
on the south and south-west coasts of Australia and in Tasmania.
It lives in the open seas at depths of one to 30 metres and
on rocks and other hard surfaces in shallow harbour areas.
It prefers
sheltered areas away from wave action. The fanworm grows quickly
and can form dense beds. It displaces other species and grows
on boats and other marine structures. This species could be
a threat to our marine ecosystem and could cause problems
for marine farmers and boat owners.
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How could
it get here?
Adult
fanworms could travel to New Zealand on the outside of a boat's
hull or in the containers that carry the boat's equipment
and fish. Young fanworms could be carried here in a ship's
ballast water.
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Description
Size:
Tube length 90-400 mm, crown radioles 9-64 mm long. Shape:
Tube-shaped body, two groups of radioles - one spiral, the
other forming a semicircle.
Construction:
The outer layer of tube is made of silt or mud and often has
organisms growing on it.
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Key
features
Only
one of the two groups of radioles making up the crown has
a spiral shape. The radioles are webbed for the first 5 mm.
Turned-down flaps are often orange in colour and the first
ventral shield is the widest.
For more
information, see:
Mediterranean
fanworm action plan September 2001 (PDF 350KB) - Link
to NZ Biodiversity web site.
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top
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 European
shore
(or green) crab
Carcinus maenas
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Overview
If this
crab enters New Zealand, it could reduce the number of different
organisms we see in our marine environment and have a serious
impact on our scallop and mussel industries. The European
shore crab adapts very well to new places. It is found in
sheltered rocky shores, mainly under large boulders between
the high and low tide marks or buried in the sand on sheltered
rocky foreshores. It eats other crabs, clams, limpets, barnacles,
mussels, and even young scallops.
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How could
it get here?
The European
shore crab could travel to New Zealand in a ship's containers
for carrying equipment and fish, in ballast water, or on fishing
equipment.
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Description
Size:
Up to 8 cm across the body though more commonly 5-6 cm.
Shape:
The body is broad at the front with a narrower but blunt rear
forming a triangular shape.
Colour:
The young crabs vary in colour but are usually olive green,
while the upper surface of the adult crabs is distinctly dark
green. The adults also often have yellow/orange patches.
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Key
features
The shore
crabs have 10 well-developed spines on the front edge of the
body, five on either side of the rostrum. The broad triangular
body shape and the absence of swimming paddles on the last
pair of legs are also notable features of this crab. Finally,
it will generally show no aggression when handled.
For more
information, see:
European
shore crab - Link to NZ Biodiversity web site.
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