Potamothrix vejdovskyi
Hrabe, 1941
Common Name:
A tubificid worm
Synonyms and Other Names:
Euilyodrilus vejdovskyi
Identification:
This aquatic oligochaete exhibits dorsal bundles of 2–6 bifid setae. At the end of these setae there is a thinner but not longer upper tooth in comparison to the lower one. Potamothrix vejdovskyi displays ventral bundles containing 5-10 bifid setae similar to those in the dorsal bundles. Bundles of spermathecal setae found on segment 10 contain only one modified large distal seta that is trough-shaped at the tip. There are as many as 5 typical ventral setae in each bundle on segment 11 (Finogenova and Poddubnaja 1990; Balik et al. 2004).
Size:
10 to 21 mm long (Finogenova and Poddubnaja, 1990)
Native Range:
Potamothrix vejdovskyi is native to parts of the Ponto-Caspian region within the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and Sea of Azov drainages (Finogenova and Poddubnaja 1990; Balik et al. 2004).
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This map only depicts Great Lakes introductions.
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Great Lakes Nonindigenous Occurrences:
Potamothrix spp. were probably introduced before 1959 and simply remained undetected in the Great Lakes basin. Potamothrix vejdovskyi has been recorded from all the Great Lakes as well as the Sandusky River, St. Mary’s River, the St. Clair River, the Detroit River, the Niagara River, and other inland waters within the Great Lakes basin (Brinkhurst 1967; Hiltunen 1967, 1969; Johnson and Brinkhurst 1971; Shrivastava 1974; Stimpson et al. 1975; Prater et al. 1980; Barton 1986; Graney et al. 1986; Nalepa et al. 2002; Grigorovich et al. 2003a, b; Spencer and Hudson 2003).
Table 1. Great Lakes region nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state/province, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Potamothrix vejdovskyi are found here.
Table last updated 4/23/2024
† Populations may not be currently present.
Ecology:
Potamothrix vejdovskyi occurs in mesotrophic to eutrophic waters and may be favored over natives in the presence of some pollution. It occurs at depths of 5.5–150 m, but is less abundant at depths greater than 40 m. Potamothrix vejdovskyi has been recorded on organic matter, silt, silt and clay, and other fine sediments. In Turkey, it primarily occurs in waters with a pH of around 7.5–8 and salinities of around 0.6–1.8%. It is primarily a freshwater species, although it can tolerate slightly brackish water (Brinkhurst 1967; Hiltunen 1967; Lang and Lang-Dobler 1979; Barton 1986; Lang 1989; Lang and Reymond 1992, 1995; Milbrink 1999; Lang 2001; Balik et al. 2004; Strayer et al. 2006).
Tubificids typically feed by ingesting sediments and excreting particles onto the sediment surface. Potamothrix vejdovskyi is capable of pumping 9.5–15 ml of water per worm per hour into the sediments as it respires (Cunningham et al. 1999).
Means of Introduction:
Unclear. However, P. vejdovskyi was most likely introduced in ballast water in ships. Populations introduced to the Great Lakes probably arrived from the Baltic Sea, a region to which this species had previously been introduced (Bij de Vaate et al. 2002; Grigorovich et al. 2003)
Status:
Established where recorded.
Great Lakes Impacts:
Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...
Current research on the environmental impact of Potamothrix vejdovskyi in the Great Lakes is inadequate to support proper assessment.
Potential:
Potamothrix vejdovskyi has been documented as one of the most abundant species among near-shore benthic invertebrates in Lake Ontario (Barton 1986) and among nonindigenous invertebrates in Lake Superior (Trebitz et al. 2010), although the consequences of this are unknown. It is possible but not confirmed that P. vejdovskyi competes with Tubifex tubifex (Lang and Lang-Dobler 1979).
In a review of the potential invaders of Finnish lakes, Pienimäki and Leppäkoski (2004) listed competition with native species and habitat alteration as potential impacts of P. vejdovskyi introduction.
There is little or no evidence to support that Potamothrix vejdovskyi has significant socio-economic impacts in the Great Lakes.
There is little or no evidence to support that Potamothrix vejdovskyi has significant beneficial effects in the Great Lakes.
Potential:
Some studies suggest that Potamothrix spp. may have a positive impact on native oligochaetes in Europe. The benefit could result from the numerous bacteria found in Potamothrix spp. faeces, which could allow for improved feeding by natives (Milbrink and Timm 2001).
Management:
Regulations
There are no known regulations for this species.
Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.
Control
Biological
While no there are no known biological controls specifically for Potamothrix vejdovskyi, Brown trout, Salmo trutta L., has been shown to prey on oligochaetes, and its removal from an experimental environment led to rapid multiplication of benthic fauna (Wahab et al. 1989). However, brown trout is itself nonindigenous to the Great Lakes region and across nearly all of the United States (Fuller et al. 2013).
Research on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in southwestern Lake Ontario before and after the invasion of Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussels) and Dreissena bugensis (quagga mussels) suggests that the presence of Dreissena helps to improve benthic habitat, facilitating increases in macroinvertebrates, including the tubificids Potamothrix vejdovskyi and Spirosperma ferox (Stewart and Haynes 1994). This indicates that control of invasive quagga and zebra mussels could facilitate improved control of benthic macroinvertebrates such as the tubificids.
Physical
There are no known physical control methods for this species.
Chemical
While there are no known chemical controls specifically for Potamothrix vejdovskyi, declines in Oligochaeta in southern Lake Michigan were recorded between 1980 and 1993 in correlation with reductions in phosphorus loads (Nalepa et al. 1998), suggesting that reduction of excess nutrients would help to reduce oligochaete populations.
Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.
Remarks:
Potamothrix vejdovskyi is synonymous with Euilyodrilus vejdovskyi.
Potamothrix vejdovskyi could easily invade the Finnish Lake District because of connections to the Baltic Sea through the Saimaa Canal and the large number of ships that enter this region (Pienimaki et al. 2004).
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Kipp, R.M., J. Larson, A. Fusaro, and T. Makled
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
9/12/2019
Citation for this information:
Kipp, R.M., J. Larson, A. Fusaro, and T. Makled, 2024, Potamothrix vejdovskyi Hrabe, 1941: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatlakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=2708&Potential=N&Type=0&HUCNumber=DHuron, Revision Date: 9/12/2019, Access Date: 4/24/2024
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.