Monitoring Invasion of New Zealand Mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) in North Campus Open Space

The New Zealand mudsnail (NZMS, Potamopyrgus antipodarum) is a globally widespread aquatic invader tolerant of diverse environmental conditions. Since detection in the Snake River, ID, NZMS has spread to numerous watersheds across the western United States. eDNA sampling in 2022 detected the species in North Campus Open Space (NCOS), a coastal estuary under restoration in Goleta, CA; presence was later verified through hand sampling. This study examines local population dynamics to assess invasion status and spread within NCOS. I used data from quarterly benthic sweep-net sampling and water-quality measurements to assess species distribution and density across sites. NZMS occurred across a wide range of water-quality conditions. Spatial patterns suggest entry via freshwater inlets, with dense populations at Phelps Creek and sparse or absent populations elsewhere. Continued monitoring is needed to evaluate ecological impacts of NZMS invasion in NCOS.