Survey of Biofouling an Australian Navy Ships: Crustacea; Isopoda and Amphipoda; Caprellidea
Abstract
Biofouling on ships not only impedes ship movement, but also allows species from one location to be transported to a site that it would normally not inhabit. In many cases, these exotic species have had deleterious effects on the native species, sometimes resulting in the extinction of less competitive native species. In an attempt to gain some understanding of the environmental threat posed by biofouling from vessels arriving from overseas, Defence has undertaken a survey of the biofouling present on Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Ships that have returned from overseas duties. Within the crustacean order Isopoda, several species are known to have been translocated, as biofouling, on early wooden ships. The two most common species found in the DSTO/RAN study were Paracerceis sculpta and Sphaeroma walkeri, both previously reported as introduced species and now having a wide distribution, both in Australia and world wide. Other species that were recorded in the survey were Neosphaeroma laticaudum and Cymodoce gaimardii. Some of the specimens received were too immature to allow identification to species level; these were identified as belonging to the following genus; Cymodocella, Ischyromene, Argathona and Cirolana. Caprellid species identified from biofouling samples taken from RAN ships were; Caprella penantis, C. californica and C. equilibra. Paracaprella pusilla was also identified in this survey.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA483311
Entities
People
- John Lewis
- Luciana Montelli