Biosecurity 2.4
Temperature and salinity tolerances of priority marine pests.
| ID Number | Project Number | Manager | Start Date | End Date | Total Project Funds ($) |
| SVE-4115A | RD06/0751 | Westphalen, Grant | 01-May-2006 | 28-Jul-2006 | 14,055 |
Executive Summary
In planning and undertaking surveys for marine pests in Australia as part of the National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions, an understanding of temperature and salinity tolerances of the pest species on the current priority list would be useful so as to focus efforts on those species that can survive in a particular area. The purpose of the present report was thus to undertake a literature review and collate the available data on temperature and salinity maxima and minima for priority marine pests. Information on the environmental cues and periods for reproduction were included where such data would be readily obtained.
Temperature and salinity maxima and minima for a total of 50 different species were considered, with summaries including an estimate of the reliability of the data (see table below). Information on many pest species was sparse or absent. For species with no directly applicable information, data were extrapolated from known their distribution and/or inferred from other members of the same genus. Neither of these approaches are considered ideal, and data reliability in these instances is given as low (L). In addition, the scientific rigour of many sources was open to question, and this information was also given a low (L) reliability index.
Data for each taxon were summarised to cover the temperature and salinity range encompassed by different strains within a species, across different congeners, and home ranges employed as proxies where direct information was lacking (Grey Background – table below).
Tolerance information was incomplete for four species, Charybdis japonica, Megabalanus tintinnabulum, Hydroides sanctaecrucis and Watersipora arcuata. Data for species related to these might be employed as a proxy, although retaining this group in all surveys would be preferable. For the purposes of marine pest surveys in ports and harbours, a precautionary approach would dictate that priority pests in the low reliability category should be considered. Further, many pests (particularly the micro- and some macroalgae; Blue – table below) can occur as different strains which, when combined, have broad environmental tolerances and should be included in all surveys. It is also recommended that all microalgae (dinoflagellates and diatoms) be retained.