Paraleptastacus wilsoni
Common Name:
Harpacticoid Copepod
Synonyms and Other Names:
Identification:
Posterior margins of somites devoid of spinules. Furcal ramus with terminal spine; inner terminal seta of normal construction never fused with outer seta. Antennual has seven segments in females and eight segments in males. Furcal ramus longer than terminal spine (Moore, 1975).
Size:
0.45-0.48 mm
Native Range:
The Atlantic coast of 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:
Paraleptastacus wilsoni, first described by Wilson (1932) is a harpacticoid copepod that inhabits the interstitial spaces in aquatic sediment. In general, most harpacticoida are found in coastal marine and estuarine habitats (Light 2007). Harpacticoid copepods have a broad diet including microalgae, cyanobacteria, flagellates, ciliates, mucoid substances, fungi and heterotrophic bacteria (Cnudde, 2013).
Means of Introduction:
Paraleptastacus wilsonii has a high probability of introduction to the Great Lakes (Confidence level: High).
Potential pathway(s) of introduction: Trans-oceanic shipping (ballast water).
Paraleptastacus wilsoni were found in ballast water taken from Lake Michigan (Cangelosi et al., 2018). P. wilsoni have not been recorded in the Great Lakes prior to 2018, so this finding is not sufficient to classify P. wilsoni as established. However, this may be due to limited sampling of benthic organisms.
Paraleptastacus wilsoni does not currently occur near waters connected to the Great Lakes basin. This species is not known to hitchhike or foul recreational gear. It is not cultured, stocked, or sold in the Great Lakes region.
Status:
Established in North America, but not including the Great Lakes.
Paraleptastacus wilsoni has a moderate probability of establishment if introduced to the Great Lakes (Confidence level: Moderate).
The native range of Paraleptastacus wilsoni have similar climatic and abiotic conditions as the Great Lakes (Grigorovich et al. 2003, Wilson 1932). There are no reports of P. wilsoni expanding its range or spreading to a new ecosystem; however, harpacticoid copepods are characterized by a broad diet and tolerance to a wide range of salinities (Cnudde, 2013).
Great Lakes Impacts:
Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...
Current research on the potential for environmental impacts to result from Paraleptastacus wilsoni if introduced to the Great Lakes is inadequate to support proper assessment.
There is insufficient information available to determine whether Paraleptastacus wilsoni poses a threat to other species or water quality. There are no reports on how it affects or interacts with other species, although their broad diet may make them effective competitors with native copepods. There is little or no evidence to support that Paraleptastacus wilsoni has the potential for significant socio-economic impacts if introduced to the Great Lakes.
It has not been reported that Paraleptastacus wilsoni poses a threat to human health or water quality. There is no evidence that this species negatively impacts infrastructure, economic sectors, recreational activities and associated tourism, or the aesthetic appeal of the areas it inhabits.
There is little or no evidence to support that Paraleptastacus wilsoni has the potential for significant beneficial impacts if introduced to the Great Lakes.
There are reports of these animals eating harmful cyanobacteria, but not to the extent that they would effectively mitigate harmful algae blooms (HABs) (Cnudde, 2013). It is not known to have any commercial, recreational, or medical value.
Management:
Regulations (pertaining to the Great Lakes region)
There are no known regulations for this species.*
*Ballast water regulations applicable to this species are currently in place to prevent the introduction of nonindigenous species to the Great Lakes via shipping. See Title 33: Code of Federal Regulations, Part 151, Subparts C and D (33 CFR 151 C) for the most recent federal ballast water regulations applying to the Great Lakes and Hudson River.
Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.
Control
Biological
There are no known biological control methods for this species.
Physical
There are no known physical control methods for this species.
Chemical
There are no known chemical control methods specific to this species.
Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Boucher, N
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
8/14/2018
Citation for this information:
Boucher, N, 2024, Paraleptastacus wilsoni: 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=3655&Potential=Y&Type=2&HUCNumber=DGreatLakes, Revision Date: 8/14/2018, Access Date: 5/4/2024
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.