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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: a copepod

Identification: Heteropsyllus nr. nunni similar to H. nunni, but differs in overall body shape and the specific morphology of the 5th leg (Garza and Whitman 2004).            

Heteropsyllus nunni can be distinguished from other Heteropsyllus spp. by the 1st endopod segment on leg 1, which is shorter than the whole exopod, and the relatively large rostrum (extended portion of the head). The caudal rami (two branches on the tail) exhibit short terminal setae and stout outer setae. There is an oval-shaped plate on the dorsal surface in the cephalothoracic region that may be where cyst formation takes place (Coull and Palmer 1980; Coull and Grant 1981; Lesko et al. 2003).

Size: ~510 µm long (Horvath et al. 2001)

Native Range: Unknown, given that H. nr. nunni may be a separate species from H. nunni. Heteropsyllus nunni is native to the Atlantic coast of North America, while most other Heteropsyllus spp. are native to coastal marine areas of northern Europe (Horvath et al. 2001).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: Heteropsyllus nunni generally occurs at high densities in winter. Nauplii (newly hatched individuals) mature in spring, become adults by early summer, and encyst for 3–4 months during the summer. Females and males mate after encystment occurs and females produce eggs one week after mating (Williams-Howze 1996). Heteropsyllus nunni is the only known marine harpacticoid copepod that has a diapause stage within a cyst (Coull and Grant 1981; Williams-Howze and Coull 1992; Williams-Howze 1996; Williams and Biesiot 2004).            

Heteropsyllus nr. nunni from Lake Michigan does not, however, appear to exhibit the winter univoltine (one generation per year) reproductive strategy of H. nunni. Adults in Lake Michigan occur at high densities in both July and December (Horvath et al. 2001).              

Heteropsyllus nr. nunni occurs from 1–15 m depth in Lake Michigan and densities are highest at 9 m. It is a nearshore benthic species found on sand substrate (Horvath et al. 2001). Similarly, H. nunni on the Atlantic coast of North America can occur in very shallow water sand flats (Williams-Howze and Coull 1992).

Means of Introduction: Probably introduced in ballast water, like most other copepod species introduced to the Great Lakes (Horvath et al. 2001).

Status: Established in Lake Michigan and northwestern Lake Huron.  Its status in Lake St. Clair is uncertain at present.

Impact of Introduction:

A) Realized: Heteropsyllus nr. nunni dominates the harpacticoid community in shallow sites (up to 9 m) in Lake Michigan. This may either be due to successful competition with native species for similar resources or the ability to exploit unused resources (Horvath et al. 2001; Garza and Whitman 2004).  

B) Potential: None documented.

Remarks: Although its origins are unknown, the nonindigenous status of this species is suggested by the fact that it belongs to a marine genus.  Lesko et al. (2003) considers this exotic species to be variant of H. nunni, while others believe it is most likely a separate undescribed species, owing to differences in morphology and life history between H. nunni and H. nr. nunni (Horvath et al. 2003; Garza and Whitman 2004).

References: (click for full references)

Coull, B.C., and J. Grant. 1981. Encystment discovered in a marine copepod Heteropsyllus nunni. Science 212(4492): 342-344.

Coull, P.C., and M.A. Palmer. 1980. Heteropsyllus (Copepods, Harpacticoida): a revised key, including a new species from Chesapeake Bay. Transactions of the American Microscopical Society 99(3): 303-309.

Garza, E.L., and R.L. Whitman. 2004. The nearshore benthic invertebrate community of southern Lake Michigan and its response to beach nourishment. Journal of Great Lakes Research 30(1): 114-122.

GLMRIS. 2012. Appendix C: Inventory of Available Controls for Aquatic Nuisance Species of Concern, Chicago Area Waterway System. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Horvath, T.G., R.L. Whitman, and L.L. Last. 2001. Establishment of two invasive crustaceans (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) in the nearshore sands of Lake Michigan. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 58: 1261-1264.

Lesko, L.T., P.L. Hudson, J.W. Reid, and M.A. Chriscinske. 2003. Harpacticoid copepods of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Great Lakes Science Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan. http://www.glsc.usgs.gov/greatlakescopepods/Key.asp?GROUP=Harpacticoid

Williams, J.L., and P.M. Biesiot. 2004. Lipids and fatty acids of the benthic marine harpacticoid copepod Heteropsyllus nunni Coull during diapause: a contrast to pelagic copepods. Marine Biology (Berlin) 144(2): 335-344.

Williams-Howze, J. 1996. The biology and morphology of the marine harpacticoid copepod Heteropsyllus nunni Coull, during encystment diapause. Hydrobiologia 320(1-3): 179-189.

Williams-Howze, J., and B.C. Coull. 1992. Are temperature and photoperiod necessary cues for encystment in the marine benthic harpacticoid copepod Heteropsyllus nunni Coull? Biological Bulletin (Woods Hole) 182: 109-116.

Other Resources:
Great Lakes Waterlife

Author: Kipp, R.M., J. Larson, T.H. Makled, and A. Fusaro

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.