 |
|
|
||||
| NAS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species |
Translate this page with 
Common Name: dwarf eelgrass
Synonyms and Other Names: Zostera americana den Hartog, Zostera nana Roth
Taxonomy: available through 
Identification: Annual to short-lived perennial plant, leaves with open sheaths, and three veins; mostly unbranched, 1-1.5 mm wide, up to 15 cm long arising from slender (1-1.5 mm) rhizomes. Shoots bearing inflorescences may grow up to 30 cm long; flowers spikes, typically 2.5-5 cm long and up to 2.5 mm wide.
Native Range:
East Asia, including Japan, Vietnam, China, North and South Korea, Taiwan and Russia
Nonindigenous Occurrences:
First introduced to North America in the mid 20th century and established on the Washington coastline by 1957 (Harrison and Bigley 1982) Established in Yaquina and Coos Bay, Oregon by the 1970's. By the late 1990's it was known in most bays between the Powell River, British Columbia and the Coquille River, Oregon (Larned 2003).
Small populations found in 2002 in Arcata Bay, California. Manual removal efforts thought to have erradicated it by 2006, but small populations were found in 2007 near Manilla and the Arcata Waste Water Treatment Plant (S. Schlosser, pers. comm.).
Found in British Columbia around Boundary Bay in the 1970's and more recently near Vancouver and Texada Island (Klinkenberg 2008).
Ecology: Submerged macrophyte of intertidal marine and estuarine habitats, found on sandy to muddy substrates. Forms dense patches in the intertidal zone, typically growing 0.3-2.4 m above mean lower low water (MLLW) (Larned 2003).
Means of Introduction:
Initial introductions thought to have been introduced with aquaculture stock shipments of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) (Larned 2003, Bando 2006). Means of subsequent dispersal to other estuaries and coastal areas is unknown, but seeds or rhizomes could be transported with equipment or recreational gear.
Status:
Impact of Introduction:
Remarks:
References
Author: Howard, V.
Revision Date: 10/8/2008 Citation for this information:
Howard, V.. 2009. Zostera japonica. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL.
<http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.asp?SpeciesID=1135> Revision Date: 10/8/2008
| AccessibilityFOIAPrivacyPolicies and Notices | |
  |
|