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Estuarine tube-worm
Common name:
Estuarine tube-wormScientific name:
Ficopomatus enigmaticusAlternative common names:
Australian tubeworm, tube worm.
Estuarine tube–worm is a species of serpulid tubeworm. It builds and lives in white, calcareous tubes that are about 2mm in diameter and 2cm long. It is an invasive species that dominates and alters habitats, reduces water quality, depletes resources and causes biofouling.
Additional Info
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Where does this species come from?
Australia.What is its invasive status in South Africa?
NEMBA Category 1bWhere in South Africa is it a problem?
Cape Peninsula in Western Cape.How does it spread?
It is often introduced to new regions by fouling on ship and boat hulls, although some of its transport may have occurred as larvae in ballast water or in some cases as fouling on transported oyster shells.Why is it a problem?
It invades and alters habitats, reduces water quality, depletes resources and causes biofouling. It has become a major nuisance in the lower Diep River Estuary in Cape Town, particularly in the area around the wooden bridge and the Woodbridge Island Road bridge.What does it look like?
Description: The tubes are somewhat flared at their open ends and have conspicuous, collar-like rings or flanges spaced irregularly along their lengths. Older tubes are typically stained a gold-brown or dark brown along much of their length, with the areas around the flanges and the flared ends usually remaining white. Habitat: It grows in the low intertidal to shallow sub tidal range on rocks, concrete, wood, shells and other hard surfaces, including pilings and the sides of floating docks, buoys and boat hulls. Breeding: It can survive in ocean salinity, but grows and reproduces only in lower salinity at temperatures above 18°C. During spawning, eggs and sperm are released into the water where fertilisation occurs. The larvae develop in the plankton and after 20-25 days settle on and attach to an appropriate hard surface.
General News Updates
2019 National Symposium on Biological Invasio…
26-02-2019
This is your invitation to South Africa's 2019 National Symposium on Biological Invasions. The convention is hosted by the Centre for Invasion Biology (CIB), University of Stellenbosch, and the Biolo... Read more
2019 Invasive Species Training
22-01-2019
During the past five years (2014-2018), ISSA invasive species trainers have trained 4 000 in the identification of invasive species and laws pertaining to invasive species across South Africa. ... Read more
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On 16 February, 2018, South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs issued amendments to the regulations and lists relating to the National List of Invasive Species. Updates to the draft&n... Read more
Invasive species training 2018 dates released
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