Carijoa riisei (branched pipe coral)

Identity

Preferred Scientific Name

• Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860)

Preferred Common Name

• branched pipe coral

International Common Names

• English: orange soft coral; snowflake coral

Summary of Invasiveness

Carijoa riisei commonly known as "snowflake coral" or "branched pipe coral", is a soft coral species. Originally from the tropical Western Atlantic it was first reported in the Pacific Ocean around the Hawaiian Islands in the 1970's. Its introduction was thought to be benign until recent surveys began showing it proliferating at depths as far down as 120m off the island of Maui, Hawaii, where it is rapidly changing habitat and out-competing native black coral colonies.

Taxonomic Tree

• Domain: Eukaryota
•     Kingdom: Metazoa
•         Phylum: Cnidaria
•             Class: Anthozoa
•                 Genus: Carijoa
•                     Species: Carijoa riisei

Description

Carijoa riisei is an octocoral that forms erect, branching colonies with flexible stems. Each tall axial polyp has many short lateral polyps. Polyps, when extended, have eight white pinnate tentacles, like the rays of a snowflake, unlike stony corals which have six tentacles. The long stems or branches of the octocoral are a dirty white colour, but they are almost always covered with a very thinly encrusting orange-red sponge, which was identified as Desmapsamma anchorata on Carijoa identified as C. riisei from Indonesia (Cacinai et al. 2004). Two types of sclerites occur in the body wall (HBS, 2002). C. riisei colonies grow about 10-25cm high (Samuel Kahng., pers. comm., 2005).

Distribution

Native range: Carijoa riisei occurs naturally in the Western Atlantic and the Caribbean from Florida to Brazil (Bayer, 1961).
Known introduced range: Carijoa identified as C. riisei was reported in Hawai‘i in 1972, the conclusion it was introduced is based on its absense from historical records prior to 1972. It has recently been recorded at depths of 100m in Hawai‘i (Grigg, 2003). Reports identifying Pacific Carijoa require genetic verification using DNA analyses, which are currently underway.

Distribution Table

The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.

Habitat

C. riisei is reported to grow well in turbid waters rich in organic matter and zooplankton on which it feeds. It requires a firm surface on which it attaches using stolons (root-like structures). It also grows well on artificial hard surfaces such as metal, plastic, concrete, etc. It is commonly reported on artificial reefs visited by recreational scuba divers. It is a passive filter feeder and needs moderate amounts of water flow, which is provided by wave surges and tidal or long-shore currents. It does not proliferate in direct sunlight and is usually most abundant on rocky surfaces or other hard substrates at depths below significant light penetration (Kahng, Undated(b)). Grigg (2003) states that not only can this species be found on pier pilings in shallow water, but that it is also abundant in much deeper water (down to 120m), particularly in shaded environments.

Habitat List

Biology and Ecology

Nutrition
Carijoa riisei lacks symbiotic algae (unlike many stony corals), and is an obligate predator of zooplankton. Octocorals in general have weak nematocysts (stinging cells). From feeding trials in Hawai‘i, C. riisei does not appear to have effective nematocysts (Samuel Kahng., pers. comm.., 2005).

Reproduction
Carijoa riisei is capable of single parent reproduction and has male, female and hermaphrodite colonies. It also spreads by vegetative growth through runners and stolons which spread and colonise adjacent areas in all directions. C. riisei also exhibits high fecundity, producing almost continously, and hundreds of eggs per axial polyp (Kahng, Undated(a)). HBS (2002) reports that, "Polyps may reproduce asexually by simply splitting in two, or sexually by release and fertilisation of gametes (a cell connected with sexual reproduction, which is either a male sperm or a female egg) into the water column. The resulting planula larvae (flat ciliated free-swimming larva) settle to the bottom and develop directly into young polyps."

Means of Movement and Dispersal

Introduction pathways to new locations
For ornamental purposes: Gasparini et al. (2004) reports that Carijoa riisei is used in the aquarium trade and can also be found in the souvenir trade.
Pet/aquarium trade: Gasparini et al. (2004) reports that Carijoa riisei is used in the aquarium trade and can also be found in the souvenir trade.
Ship/boat hull fouling: HBS (2002) reports that Carijoa riisei is most likely to be introduced as fouling on ships' hulls.

Pathway Causes

Pathway Vectors

Impact Summary

Impact

General Impacts

Risk and Impact Factors

Impact mechanisms

• Competition - monopolizing resources
• Competition - smothering
• Predation

Impact outcomes

• Modification of natural benthic communities
• Threat to/ loss of native species

Invasiveness

• Has high reproductive potential
• Proved invasive outside its native range

Uses

Gasparini et al. (2004) reports that Carijoa riisei is used in the aquarium trade and can also be found in the souvenier trade.

Uses List

General

• Ornamental
• Pet/aquarium trade
• Souvenirs

Prevention and Control

Management Information

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References

ISSG, 2011. Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). Invasive Species Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. http://www.issg.org/database

Principal Source

Global Invasive Species Database

Contributors

Reviewed by: Steve. L. Coles, Ph. D. Research Zoologist. Bishop Museum, Department of Natural Science Honolulu, Hawaii USA
Sam Kahng Department of Oceanography University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu. Hawaii

Principal sources: Kahng, Undated(b) Carijoa riisei: Fact Sheet Department of Oceanography, University of Hawai‘i.
HBS, 2002 Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860).
Toonen, R. 2004. Reproduction and developmental characteristics of an alien soft coral (Carijoa riisei) in Hawai‘i (FY 2004-2005). Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology.

Distribution Maps

• = Present, no further details
• = Evidence of pathogen
• = Widespread
• = Last reported
• = Localised
• = Presence unconfirmed
• = Confined and subject to quarantine
• = See regional map for distribution within the country
• = Occasional or few reports

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