Aliens in Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument; Some are Green but None are Friendly

Mar 18, 2021  1500 - 1600

(GMT -7:00) Pacific Time

Event URL:  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1464137583664581387?utm_medium=email&utm_source=GovDelivery
Cost:  Free

The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) is a marine protected area encompassing over 1.5 million km2 surrounding the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). Over 400 species of marine non-indigenous/alien species are recorded in the Hawaiian Archipelago, but only 10-15% are known to be established in the PMNM. PMNM has a permitting system in place in order to manage this pristine environment and limit alien species introductions. The PMNM marine alien species inventory project was created to combine alien alga, invertebrate and fish inventory records with recent surveys to produce a checklist of documented findings. The complex taxonomic nature of invertebrate fauna makes positive identification difficult and further taxonomic resolution may be possible from cataloged museum specimens resulting from previous surveys. Researchers have identified some species found in PMNM as cryptogenic species, meaning they may be either a native species or an introduced species, with clear evidence for either origin being absent. The 2020 State of the Monument report found that there are potentially 61 non-indigenous species in PMNM. Of those species, 39 are established, 21 cryptogenic, and 1 which may be present but is not established. There are 2 cryptogenic species of red algae, 3 species of fish and 56 species of marine invertebrates. One of the cryptogenic red algal species has just been described as a new species, Chondria tumulosa. This species has recently been found to exhibit invasive-like growth characteristics at Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll) as managers and researchers strive to identify biocontrol efforts and best management practices (BMPs) to prevent further spread. Managers plan to revisit the Monument in the Summer of 2021, so further updates are pending.