invasion of Sphaeroma terebrans, a marine isopod, on pond apple (Annona glabra) trees in a tidally influenced freshwater forested wetland

Saltwater intrusion is threatening coastal wetlands through alteration of the natural communities leading to native species loss. In southern Florida, the Pond Apple Slough is experiencing tidally driven saltwater intrusion, which is thought to be responsible for the invasion of a marine isopod, Sphaeroma terebrans, into the native, dominant pond apple trees. The isopod appears to be responsible for the death of pond apple trees in the site. The isopod's distribution on trees within the slough appears to be controlled by the period of inundation and distance from the source of saltwater. Restriction of tidal water entering the site may limit the isopod's distribution on the pond apple trees.