Corophium sextonae
Date of introduction and origin
Corophium sextonae was first introduced into
Plymouth, Devon, in the 1930s (Crawford 1937) from New Zealand
(Hurley 1954). A secondary introduction to Ireland occurred by the
late 1970s or early 1980s (Costello 1993). This species naturally
occurs in New Zealand.
Method of introduction
Unknown.
Reasons for success
Unknown.
Rate of spread and methods involved
Details of its spread are unknown, but there was possible
natural spread from UK to Ireland (M. Costello pers. comm.).
Distribution
It is found in the southern and western British Isles (Moore
1978), north to Scotland. Its distribution elsewhere in Europe is
not clear, however, it is found in Ireland (Costello et
al. 1989; Costello & Kelly 1991).
Factors likely to influence spread and distribution
These are unknown, but possibly temperature is
important.
Effects on the environment
It has apparently negligible effects, although Spooner (1951)
considered that its increase in abundance in the Plymouth area was
linked to a decrease in abundance of the native Corophium
bonnellii (not used for other sp.).
Effects on commercial interests
Unknown.
Control methods used and effectiveness
None used.
Beneficial effects
None known.
Comments
None
References
Costello, M.J. 1993. Biogeography of alien amphipods occurring
in Ireland, and interactions with native species. In:
Proceedings of the First European Crustacean Conference,
1992. Crustaceana, 65: 287-299.
Costello, M.J., Holmes, J.M.C., McGrath, D., & Myers, A.A.
1989. A review and catalogue of the Amphipoda (Crustacea) in
Ireland. Irish Fisheries Investigations, Series B
(Marine), 33: 1-70.
Costello, M.J., & Kelly, K.S., eds. 1993.
Biogeography of Ireland: past, present and future. Dublin,
Irish Biogeographical Society. (Occasional Publication, No.
2.)
Costello, M.J., Kelly, K.S. 1991. The biogeographic richness
of the Amphipoda. In: The Ecology of Lough Hyne:
proceedings of a conference 4-5 September 1990, ed. by A.A.
Myers, C. Little., M.J Costello & J.C. Partridge, 157-162.
Dublin, Royal Irish Academy.
Crawford, G.I. 1937. A review of the amphipod genus
Corophium, with notes on the British species. Journal
of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
21: 589-630.
Hayward, P.J., & Ryland, J.S. eds. 1990. The
marine fauna of the British Isles and north-west Europe. 2
vols. Oxford, Clarendon Press.
Hurley, D.E. 1954. Studies on the New Zealand amphipod fauna.
No 7. The family Corophiidae, including a new species of
Paracorophium. Transactions of the Royal Society of
New Zealand, 82: 431-460.
Moore, P.G. 1978. Turbidity and kelp holdfast Amphipoda. I.
Wales and southwest England. Journal of Experimental Marine
Biology and Ecology, 32: 53-96.
Spooner, G.M. 1951. Amphipoda. In: Plymouth
marine fauna, 3rd ed.. 207-234. Plymouth, Marine Biological
Association.
Acknowledgements (contributions from questionnaire)
Dr M.J. Costello, University of Dublin.