First report of Elodea nuttallii in Lithuania
Elodea nuttallii (Hydrocharitaceae) (EPPO List of IAP) poses a significant risk to European freshwater systems based on its current distribution, rate of spread and potentially high biomass accumulation. E. nuttallii was first introduced to the EPPO region in 1939 and has since spread rapidly having an impact on native biodiversity. Its presence is now reported for the first time in Lithuania. It was found in three locations of the Nemunas River (Southern Lithuania) in June 2020 and 2021. The first population was found with several young shoots growing at a depth of 0.65 m, on a sandy and gravelly river bottom with dominant Myriophyllum spicatum and other submerged plants. The second population was found growing downstream together with Elodea canadensis. The third population was found growing about 10 km downstream from the second population. Potentially, E. nuttallii may be more widespread in this region of Lithuania than currently recorded. The species has rapid growth, vegetative reproduction and can easily be dispersed by waterbirds.
Sources
Butkuvienė J, Kamaitytė-Bukelskienė L, Naugžemys D, Patamsytė J, Sinkevičienė Z (2022) First records and molecular confirmation of invasive species Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) H.St.John, 1920 in Lithuania. BioInvasions Records 11, 1019-1030