Filinia passa
(O.F. Muller, 1786)
Common Name:
Wheel animal
Synonyms and Other Names:
Filinia longiseta v. passa, Brachionus passa, Brachionus passus, Filinia longiseta, Filinia longiseta var. passa, Filinia mulleri, Filinia mystacina, Triarthra longiseta mystacina, Triarthra mystacina
Identification:
The genus is illoricate and bears two lateral skipping bristles of variable length and a caudal bristle; the trophi are malleoramate. Filinia passa is nearly transparent; the body cylindrical, long. The insertion of the posterior seta is of taxonomic importance in identifying the species of Filinia (Pejler 1957; Hutchinson 1964); for Filinia passa the posterior seta is inserted ventrally and the distance from the posterior end to the point of insertion of the caudal seta is at least 40 um. It has a moveable caudal seta. Though variable, the spines are usually shorter than those of F. longiseta. It appears to have 15/15 (left/right) unci teeth (Koste, 1980). Eggs elliptical; carried on posterior end.
Size:
<200 microns
Native Range:
Australia Nonindigenous Occurrences: Found in Ukraine, Polish, German and Greek waters (Millar 2008, Galkovskaya & Molotkov 2001, Gozdziejewska & Tucholski 2011, Holst et al 1998, Michaloudi and Kostecka 2004), but not currently reported for North America.
This species is not currently in the Great Lakes region but may be elsewhere in the US. See the
point map
for details.
Ecology:
Filinia cornuta is a heterotrophic, bacterivorous rotifer with broad physiological tolerances. As part of the longiseta group of Filinia species, it should be a warm-water stenotherm.
Means of Introduction:
Filinia passa has a high probability of introduction to the Great Lakes (Confidence level: High). Potential pathway of introduction: ballast sediment.
Bailey et al. (2005) studied the resting stages of invertebrates in residual ballast sediments of transoceanic ships as possible vectors to the Great Lakes; Filinia passa occurred on 4 ships out of the possible 35 and had an abundance of 3.5 that emerged from a 40 g sediment samples from the ships it was found. The resting stage may survive transport under harsh conditions such as in ballast tanks and ballast sediment (Johengen et al. 2005). The current practices of ballast water exchange and saltwater flushing of NOBOB tanks should significantly reduce the risk of this species invading the Great Lakes (Briski et al. 2010).
Status:
This species has not been established in the Great Lakes but has been found in ballast tanks entering the Lakes.
Filinia passa has a moderate probability of establishment if introduced to the Great Lakes (Confidence level: Moderate).
Filinia passa has a broad global distribution (Bailey et al 2005) and has been found to be able to grow in laboratory conditions matching Great Lakes abiotic conditions. Filinia passa has been found in winter (mean temperature, 3.8°C) in Oder River, Germany (Wolska & Piasecki 2006), indicating that it will likely be able to overwinter in the Great Lakes as well. It is a bacterivore so its primary food is readily available in the Great Lakes.
Great Lakes Impacts:
Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...
There is little or no evidence to support that Filinia passa has the potential for significant socioeconomic impacts if introduced to the Great Lakes. Current research on the potential for environmental impacts to result from Filinia passa if introduced to the Great Lakes is inadequate to support proper assessment.
While believed capable of overwintering in the Great Lakes (Wolska & Piasecki 2006), this species prefers warmer waters and its distribution may be limited to shallow, warmer embayments. Filinia passa has been demonstrated to develop longer spines in the presence of Mesocyclops and Tropocylops spp. The spined phenotypes represent a significant reduction in capture and ingestion by invertebrate predators (Thorp). This is similar to the spiny water flea in regards to the spiny water flea having a sharp spine which is difficult for small fish to eat. However, it may not be a superior competitor; Filinia passa was found in the Grosnica Resovoir duing 1950-1952 but disappeared during 1996-1998 likely due to an increase in other species (Ostojic 2000).
There is little or no evidence to support that Filinia passa has the potential for significant beneficial effects if introduced to the Great Lakes.
Management:
Regulations
Current ballast water regulations mandating ballast water exchange and saltwater flushing of NOBOB tanks should significantly reduce the risk of this species invading the Great Lakes (Briski et al. 2010).
Control Biological
There are no known biological mechanisms for control of rotifers in open water systems.
Physical
There are no known physical mechanisms for control of rotifers in open water systems.
Chemical
There are no known chemical mechanisms for control of rotifers in open water systems.
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Baker, E., G.I. Fakhouri and R. Sturtevant
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
6/5/2019
Citation for this information:
Baker, E., G.I. Fakhouri and R. Sturtevant, 2024, Filinia passa (O.F. Muller, 1786): 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=3647&Potential=Y&Type=2&HUCNumber=DGreatLakes, Revision Date: 6/5/2019, Access Date: 4/26/2024
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.