Conservation & Threats

The main threat to Polycarpa papillata is temperature fluctuation as this effect maturity and time to settlement of larvae (Petes et.al 2008; Sorte et.al 2010).  A rise in heat would decrease the time that larvae spend dispersing as they would mature faster, this limits the dispersal potential which can increase competition and alter community compositions which may have flow on effects (Petes et.al 2008; Sorte et.al 2010).  Studies have also shown that with temperature rises the potential for invasion also increases which would again increase competition for P.papillata in its home range (Sorte et.al 2010).  It has also been noted that increase intemperature reduces the fecundity of marine invertebrates, this indicates that a temperature increase would likely reduce P.papillatas’ ability to reproduce and colonise new areas (Petes et.al 2008).