Aquatic Invertebrates | National Invasive Species Information Center

Aquatic invasive invertebrates are non-native animals that lack a vertebral column (backbone) and spend the majority of their lives in freshwater, marine, or estuarine environments (including inland waters, riparian areas, and wetlands). Crustaceans and mollusks are the most common invasive aquatic invertebrates found in the United States.

Citations:

Hine, R. and E. Martin. 2015. “Invertebrate.” In: A Dictionary of Biology (7th ed). Oxford University Press.
Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Species List. USGS, Gainesville, FL. [Accessed Aug 4, 2017].
U.S. House Committee on Science. Aquatic Invasive Species Research Act Report [PDF, 468 KB]. H. Rep. No. 108-324.

Asian Clam

Corbicula fluminea (O. F. Müller, 1774) (ITIS)
Asian Shore Crab

Hemigrapsus sanguineus (De Haan, 1853) (ITIS)
Channeled Apple Snail

Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1828) (ITIS)
Chinese Mitten Crab

Eriocheir sinensis (ITIS)
Clubbed Tunicate

Styela clava Herdman, 1881 (ITIS)
Colonial Sea Squirt

Didemnum vexillum Kott, 2002 (Stefaniak et al. 2009)
European Green Crab

Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus, 1758) (ITIS)
Golden Mussel

Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857) (CABI)
Killer Shrimp

Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (CABI)
New Zealand Mud Snail

Potamopyrgus antipodarum (J. E. Gray, 1853) (ITIS)
Quagga Mussel

Dreissena rostriformis bugensis (Andrusov, 1897); formerly known as Dreissena bugensis (CABI)
Rusty Crayfish

Orconectes rusticus (Girard, 1852) (ITIS)
Spiny Water Flea

Bythotrephes longimanus (Leydig, 1860) (ITIS)
Veined Rapa Whelk

Rapana venosa (Valenciennes, 1846) (CABI)
White Spotted Jellyfish

Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld 1884 (ITIS)
Zebra Mussel

Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) (ITIS)

Species Information Disclaimer

NISIC provides general information about species considered to be invasive and our information does not have any regulatory implications. There are more than 6,500 invasive species established across the United States. The large numbers of invasive species prevent us from maintaining detailed information on all invasive species. In addition, determining the invasiveness of a species depends on a number of local factors, including type of habitat. The species profiles included on NISIC's site are intended to be an educational resource and should not be considered to be an official list of invasive species by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.