Urosalpinx cinerea
Date of introduction and origin
Urosalpinx cinerea was first recorded from the Essex
oyster grounds in 1927 by Orton & Winckworth (1928) who
believed that it was probably introduced about 1900 from the east
coast of the USA where it occurs naturally.
Method of introduction
It was an associated unintentional introduction with American
oysters Crassostrea virginica.
Reasons for success
It found a plentiful food supply on the oyster beds.
Rate of spread and methods involved
It has shown slow and limited natural dispersal; movement has
been facilitated through trade in oysters (Cole 1942).
Distribution
It is found on the Essex and Kent coasts, especially in the
estuaries (Hancock 1959; Franklin & Pickett 1974). It has been
severely affected by tributyl tin (TBT) pollution. It has not been
found intertidally in East Anglia since 1991 (J. Light & I.
Killeen pers. comm. ). However, live specimens and egg cases
continue to occur amongst oysters collected outside the Blackwater
and Crouch estuaries, Essex, in deeper water offshore (B.E. Spencer
pers. comm.). Some breeding enclaves may still survive off
Whitstable, (Gibbs, Spencer & Pascoe 1991). It has not been
recorded from other sites in England where American oysters were
deposited. It is not known to occur in the rest of Europe (MAFF
pers. comm.).
Factors likely to influence spread and distribution
Its limited adult mobility and lack of a free-swimming larval
stage prevents it spreading quickly (Gibbs, Spencer & Pascoe
1991). A susceptibility to TBT and development of the debilitating
condition known as 'imposex' has depleted populations on the Essex
oyster beds since the early 1970s (Gibbs, Spencer & Pascoe
1991).
Effects on the environment
It predates native oysters; each individual consumes about 40
oyster spat (5-20 mm diameter) per year (Hancock 1954).
Effects on commercial interests
It devastates commercial oyster beds through predation.
Control methods used and effectiveness
'Tile traps' have been used during the summer to control this
species (MAFF pers. comm.). On the Essex oyster beds at least,
bounty was paid for bucket loads of U. cinerea (P. French
pers. comm.).
Beneficial effects
None known.
Comments
None.
References
Cole, H.A. 1942. The American whelk tingle, Urosalpinx
cinerea (Say), on British oyster beds. Journal of the
Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom,
25: 477-508.
Franklin, A., & Pickett, G.D. 1974. Recent research on
introduced oyster pests in England and Wales. Unpublished,
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. (Paper, No.
CM 1974/K:15.)
Gibbs, P.E., Spencer, B.E., & Pascoe P.L. 1991. The
American oyster drill Urosalpinx cinerea (Gastropoda):
evidence of decline in an imposex-affected population (R.
Blackwater, Essex). Journal of the Marine Biological
Association of the United Kingdom, 71: 827-838.
Hancock, D.A. 1954. The destruction of oyster spat by
Urosalpinx cinerea (Say) on Essex oyster beds. Journal
du Conseil International pour l'Exploration de la Mer, 20:
186-196.
Hancock, D.A. 1959. The biology and control of the American
whelk tingle Urosalpinx cinerea (Say) on English oyster
beds. Fishery Investigations, Series 2, 22: 1-66.
Hayward, P.J., & Ryland, J.S. eds. 1990. The
marine fauna of the British Isles and north-west Europe. 2
vols. Oxford, Clarendon Press.
Orton, J.H., & Winckworth, R. 1928. The occurrence of the
American oyster pest Urosalpinx cinerea (Say) on English
oyster beds. Nature, 122: 241.
Utting, S.D., & Spencer, B.E. 1992 Introductions of marine
bivalve molluscs into the United Kingdom for commercial culture -
case histories. International Council for the Exploration of
the Sea Marine Science Symposium, 194: 84-91.
Acknowledgements:
Dr P.E. Gibbs, Plymouth Marine Laboratory.
B.E. Spencer, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food,
Conwy.