AquaNISInformation system on aquatic non-indigenous and cryptogenic species |
Species | Telmatogeton japonicus [WoRMS] | |
Authority | Tokunaga, 1933 | |
Family | Chironomidae | |
Order | Diptera | |
Class | Insecta | |
Phylum | Arthropoda | |
Synonym (?) | ||
Sub-species level (?) | Not entered |
Native origin (?) | Ocean: Pacific References (not structured): Brodin Y, Andersson MH (2008) The marine splash midge Telmatogeton japonicus (Diptera; Chironomidae) - extreme and alien? Biological Invasions 11: 1311-1317 Comments: N Pacific |
Life form / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Raunio, J., Paasivirta, L., Brodin, Y. 2009. Marine midge Telmatogeton japonicus Tokunaga (Diptera: Chironomidae) exploiting brackish water in Finland. Aquatic invasions, 4(2), pp. 405-408. Comments: The larvae live in tubes attached to solid substrates in the upper intertidal and supralittoral zone. Adults can fly, but like other related chironomids, it is better adapted to walking. The marine splash midge requires a hard substrate in the supralittoral zone to attach its eggs. |
Sociability / Life stage (?) |
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Reproductive frequency (?) | Semelparous |
Reproductive type (?) | Sexual |
Developmental trait (?) | Brooding Comments: Females produce 200-300 eggs, which are deposited individually. Larvae go through 4 instars before pupation. Mating takes place exclusively on wet rock surfaces (Sunose & Fujisawa 1982a; Wirth 1947) Copulation takes place on the rocks, with males straddling the female. |
Characteristic feeding method / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Raunio, J., Paasivirta, L., Brodin, Y. 2009. Marine midge Telmatogeton japonicus Tokunaga (Diptera: Chironomidae) exploiting brackish water in Finland. Aquatic invasions, 4(2), pp. 405-408. Comments: Larvae feed on, among other things, green and blue algae (cyanobacteria). Like many other midge species, the adult stage of Telmatogeton japonicus typically does not feed. Adults usually have short lifespans, during which they focus on reproduction rather than feeding. |
Mobility / Life stage (?) |
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Salinity tolerance range (?) | Exact range: 2 - 35 References: Raunio, J., Paasivirta, L., Brodin, Y. 2009. Marine midge Telmatogeton japonicus Tokunaga (Diptera: Chironomidae) exploiting brackish water in Finland. Aquatic invasions, 4(2), pp. 405-408. Comments: Slightly brackish (below 4%o) to fully marine (35%o) conditions. |
Habitat modifying ability potential (?) | Unknown Comments: Not available. |
Toxicity / Life stage (?) | Not relevant |
Bioaccumulation association (?) | Unknown Comments: Not available. |
Known human health impact? | Not known Comments: Not available. |
Known economic impact? | Not known Comments: Not available. |
Known measurable environmental impact? | Not known Comments: Not available. |
Included in the Target Species list? | Yes References: HELCOM, 2009. Alien Species and Ballast Water [PDF] Available at: https://archive.iwlearn.net/helcom.fi/stc/files/shipping/Table_2_Alienspecies_%20lists_2009.pdf [Accessed 1 July 2024]. |
Association with vessel vectors (?) | Biofouling Comments: Given the location of the first observation in Europe (Kiel Canal), the suspicion arose that shipping must be responsible for the introduction of the marine splash midge to Europe. Because the larvae can attach themselves to ship hulls with their tubes, they can spread easily. On a more local scale (secondary dispersal), the mobility of adult individuals and the sea currents (transport of eggs) play an important role, |
Last update by | Sandra Gečaitė, 2024-08-21 |