Styela clava (Asian tunicate)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Biology and Ecology
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Causes
- Pathway Vectors
- Impact Summary
- Impact
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
- Prevention and Control
- Bibliography
- References
- Principal Source
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pageIdentity
Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Styela clava Herdman 1881
Preferred Common Name
- Asian tunicate
Other Scientific Names
- Bostryorchis clava Redikorzev, 1916
- Styela barnharti Ritter and Forsyth, 1917
- Styela clava Herdman, 1881
- Styela clava clava Nishikawa, 1991
- Styela mammiculata Carlisle 1954
International Common Names
- English: club tunicate; leathery sea squirt; rough sea squirt
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageS. clava, the clubbed tunicate, is a fouling organism native to the Pacific Coast of Asia. Because of its hardy nature and ability to withstand salinity and temperature fluctuations, S. clava has established a widespread non-native distribution, and its global spread is facilitated by human-assisted dispersal. S. clava is fast-growing, a prolific breeder and an efficient suspension feeder; it can reach extremely high densities and out-compete native organisms for food in the water column. S. clava also predates on the larvae of native species causing population declines. It fouls aquaculture and fishing equipment and is difficult and time-consuming to remove; hull fouling increases drag on vessels.
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Metazoa
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Tunicata
- Class: Ascidiacea
- Suborder: Stolidobranchia
- Family: Styelidae
- Genus: Styela
- Species: Styela clava
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageStyela clava, the clubbed tunicate, is an ascidian (the term ascidian can be used interchangeably with the term 'sea squirt'). In other words, it belongs to the Class Ascidiacea, Subphylum Tunicata (hence, it is also a tunicate).
Description
Top of pageS. clava is a large, club-shaped solitary ascidian with a tough leathery tunic with conspicuous bumps, growing up to 160mm long. It consists of an elongated, cylindrical body on top of a stalk of variable length. It can be brownish-white, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, or yellowish-grey. There are two short siphons towards the top of the organism pointing upward, each with a 4-lobed opening. The body has conspicuous tubercles and rounded swellings on the upper portion and rounded longitudinal ridges on the lower half. The stalk surface is creased. Internally, the gut is a simple U-shaped loop (Fuller, 2005; and NIMPIS, 2002).
Distribution
Top of pageNative range: S. clava was once restricted to the Pacific shores of Asia and Russia (Goldstien et al., 2010).
Known non-native range: Australasia-Pacific, Europe, and North America (NZPA, 2005, Davis and Davis, 2005, and Fuller, 2005). S. clava was first recorded outside its native range in 1932, when it was found on the Californian coast (Clarke and Therriault, 2007). See Davis et al. (2007) for information about the distribution and spread of S. clava in European waters.
S. clava has low natural dispersal ability; its global spread and abundance is thought to rely upon human-aided dispersal and a high tolerance to changing environmental conditions (Goldstien et al., 2010).
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 17 Dec 2021Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asia |
|||||||
China | Present | Native | |||||
Japan | Present | Native | |||||
North Korea | Present | Native | |||||
South Korea | Present | Native | |||||
Taiwan | Present | Native | |||||
Europe |
|||||||
Belgium | Present | Belgium coast including Knokke-Heist; Original citation: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) (2012) | |||||
Denmark | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
France | Present | Introduced | 1968 | Invasive | |||
Germany | Present | Found on Heligoland and Dune islands. This is a new record from the central German Bite in the North Sea. | |||||
Guernsey | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Ireland | Present | Introduced | 1971 | Invasive | New records for the east coast (Dublin Bay) and south-west coast (Tralee and Dingle Bays). (Minchin et al., 2006) | ||
Jersey | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Netherlands | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Norway | Present | Introduced | First reported: 1990 - 1999 | ||||
Portugal | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Romania | Present | Introduced | 2004 | ||||
Russia | Present | Native | |||||
Spain | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
United Kingdom | Present | Present based on regional distribution. | |||||
-Scotland | Present | Ardossan; Original citation: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) (2012) | |||||
North America |
|||||||
Canada | Present | Introduced | Invasive | See Clarke and Therriault (2007) for detailed information | |||
-Nova Scotia | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
-Prince Edward Island | Present | Introduced | 1998 | Invasive | In Prince Edward Island, Styela clava was first found on aquacultured blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) in 1998 (Locke et al., 2009). | ||
Panama | Present | Original citation: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) (2012) | |||||
United States | Present | Present based on regional distribution. | |||||
-California | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
-Connecticut | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
-Maine | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
-Massachusetts | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
-New Hampshire | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
-New York | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
-Oregon | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
-Washington | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Oceania |
|||||||
Australia | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
-Victoria | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
New Zealand | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Sea Areas |
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Atlantic - Northeast | Present | Introduced | Invasive | ||||
Mediterranean and Black Sea | Present | First record in the Mediterranean. Found in Bassin de Thau near Sete, France. | |||||
South America |
|||||||
Argentina | Present | Introduced | San Antonio Bay | ||||
Brazil | Present | Original citation: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) (2012) |
Habitat
Top of pageS. clava is present on coasts in low wave-energy environments and sheltered embayments in the upper sublittoral zone typically from 15-25m depth. As a fouling species, it is common on rocks and pylons and can reach densities of 500-1500 individuals per square metre. It is a hardy species, capable of withstanding salinity changes and temperature fluctuations. It can attach itself to concrete and cement, wood, vessel hulls and reefs. S. clava has also frequently been found on permanently submerged floating surfaces, such as buoys and pontoons. It has also been documented attaching itself to other organisms (Crassostrea gigas, Mytilus edulis, and Sargassum muticum). It can reach high densities on artificial substrates. (Clarke and Therriault, 2007; Davis and Davis, 2005; and NIMPIS, 2002).
Habitat List
Top of pageCategory | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Littoral | Coastal areas | Present, no further details | ||
Brackish | Estuaries | Present, no further details | ||
Marine | Present, no further details |
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageNutrition
S. clava is a suspension feeder that consumes matter such as phytoplankton, zooplankton, oyster larvae and other suspended organic materials (NIMPIS, 2002). S. clava has a high filtration rate (Clarke and Therriault, 2007).
Reproduction
S. clava is hermaphroditic but male and female gonads mature at different times, hence they are not self-fertile. The gonads are closely applied to the visceral surface of the body wall. It reproduces sexually, is oviparous and larval development is usually of one day duration. Spawning in S. clava is temperature dependant and it is believed to only be able to spawn in waters above 15°C. Fertilisation is external and eggs and larvae are planktonic for between one to three days (24-28 hours at 20°C is given by Clarke and Therriault, 2007), after which they settle and metamorphose into the sessile adult. The short planktonic phase leads to short larval dispersal distances – human-aided dispersal contributes towards the wide distribution of S. clava. Reproduction occurs throughout all but the coldest periods. S. clava can live 2-3 years and reaches maturity at around 10 months (JNCC, 1997; NIMPIS, 2002; and Parker et al. 1999).
Associations
S. clava may be contributing to the establishment of the macroalga Undaria pinnatifida by facilitating settlement in San Antonio Bay, northern Patagonia, Argentina (Pereyra et al., 2015).
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageIntroduction pathways to new locations
Aquaculture:S. clava can be transported on fouled aquaculture and fishing equipment. Another method of dispersal includes being transferred on oysters (JNCC, 1997).
Ship/boat hull fouling: Possible methods of dispersal include transport on ships' hulls (JNCC, 1997). As well as commercial fishery and shipping vessels, recreational boats are also a potential vector. S. clava may be transported overland via towed vessels (Darbyson et al., 2009).
Military: S. clava was possibly transported on the hulls of warships following the end of the Korean War in 1951 (JNCC, 1997).
Pathway Causes
Top of pageCause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aquaculture | Yes | Yes | ||
Military movements | Yes | Yes |
Pathway Vectors
Top of pageVector | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aquaculture stock | Yes | Yes | ||
Ship hull fouling | Yes | Yes |
Impact Summary
Top of pageCategory | Impact |
---|---|
Economic/livelihood | Negative |
Fisheries / aquaculture | Negative |
Human health | Negative |
Native fauna | Negative |
Impact
Top of page
When S. clava populations explode they often out-compete many native species for food. S. clava can reach densities of 500-1500 individuals per square metre. These extreme densities can have negative impacts on native and aquaculture species through competition for space and food, as well as predation of larvae from the water column. S. clava invasiveness is enhanced through its hardy nature; it is capable of withstanding salinity changes and temperature fluctuations (JNCC, 1997; NIMPIS, 2002).
It can also occur as a fouling organism on vessels, aquaculture and fishing equipment and other artificial structures. Dense fouling occurs on fishing equipment, moorings, ropes, etc. It can be time consuming to remove and can result in tangling of fishing gear. Hull fouling increases drag on vessels, requires an increase in the frequency of hull cleaning, and increases fuel costs. In Japan it has been known to impact upon human health causing an asthmatic condition in oyster shuckers when hammering open Styela fouled oysters in poorly ventilated areas (NIMPIS, 2002).
The tremendous density and abundance of S. clava in Prince Edward Island is considered a serious threat to the long-term economic viability of the shellfish industry there. Locke et al. (2007) discuss why Prince Edward Island has proved so invisible for ascidians; they suggest that the aquaculture and agriculture industry may be one factor (for example, by producing high and fluctuating estuarine nutrient levels). The green crab (Carcinus maenas) may also facilitate S. clava invasion (see Locke et al., 2007).
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page- Negatively impacts aquaculture/fisheries
- Threat to/ loss of native species
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Fouling
- Predation
Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
Top of pageSmall specimens of S. clava up to 30 mm length may have no stalk and could possibly be confused with other Styela species. The test (protective covering, also called the tunic) of S. clava is leathery and the gut loop is simple and vertical, whereas the test of S. plicata is whitish, almost naked, tough but not leathery and the gut loop is deeply curved (Kott 1985; NIMPIS, 2002).
Prevention and Control
Top of pageDue to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
Prevention: Monitoring water samples for species of invasive ascidians can help ensure early detection and response. However current methods (use of recruitment plates and dissection microscopes) are costly and time-consuming and it is difficult to distinguish different species from observing egg and larval stage under a dissecting microscope. Use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based detection is being investigated and could provide easier and earlier identification of S. clava (including of egg and larval stages) (Stewart-Clark et al. 2009). Control of potential vectors (e.g. fishery and shipping vessels and fouled aquaculture equipment) can also help prevent spread. (See Locke et al. 2009 for vector control efforts in Prince Edward Island; see MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008 for suggestions on S. clava vector management in New Zealand).
Exposure, temperature and salinity: NIMPIS (2002) states that, "In some power plants, raw water systems, reservoirs, locked marinas and impoundments, water levels can be lowered (drawn-down) to expose fouling infestations to the air. Subsequent freezing or desiccation due to ambient temperatures may kill a large proportion of the exposed population." The authors go on to state that this method has been successful in controlling S. clava. Various combinations of salinity, temperature and exposure to air have proved successful in killing S. clava fouled on oysters without harming the oysters (NIMPIS, 2002).
The dipping of dredged oysters, and associated species, in saturated or strong salt solutions is extremely effective in killing ascidians without harming the oysters. Brine dipping of oysters fouled with Sargassum muticum, Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides and S. clava was found to be an effective control. Brine dipping infested oysters is considered the cheapest, safest and most effective method of control of fouling species, however, this requires collection of all the fouled oysters to place them in a bath as it is not possible to implement in the open environment (NIMPIS, 2002).
Chemical control: Hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) and acetic acid are natural chemicals that can be used to remove fouling tunicates. Spraying or immersion treatments with a saturated solution of hydrated lime or 5% acetic acid are effective at removing fouling tunicates, but are also biocidal to a variety of non-target organisms. There is also some concern about alteration of estuarine pH if the chemicals were to be heavily used (Locke et al., 2009). The synthetic chemical medetomidine can reduce S. clava larval mobility and settlement and may have potential as a management tool to control S. clava fouling. (Willis et al., 2011).
Physical control: High pressure water blasting has been used as a removal strategy for other tunicates but has been of limited use for S. clava because of its tough tunic (Clarke and Therriault, 2007).
Alternative approaches: There is interest in marketing S. clava as a food item – they are already eaten as a delicacy in Korea. Marketing S. clava (removed from aquaculture operations) for the Korean community in North America could offset some of its damaging economic effects on the aquaculture industry (Karney and Rhee, 2009).
Darbyson et al. (2009) discussed the use of anti-fouling paints.
When the problem of invasive ascidians including S. clava emerged in Prince Edward Island, various management approaches were adopted. This included ballast water control, and more recently, use of chemical control to remove S. clava from mussel socks. Quarantine has also been imposed (see the case study by Locke et al. 2009; see also information provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada on invasive tunicate control).
The New Zealand government have also implemented a management strategy after S. clava was first discovered in 2005. (see New Zealand Government report on Styela clava ; also see full report: MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008)
In Australia, a two year study was undertaken to rank the impact and invasion potential of existing and potential introduced marine species found within Australian waters. S. clava was identified as a 'medium priority species' having a reasonably high impact (see Hayes et al., 2005).
Bibliography
Top of pageC.L. Clarke and T.W. Therriault, 2007. Biological Synopsis of the Invasive Tunicate Styela clava (Herdman 1881). Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2807.
References from GISD
Berman, J., L. Harris, W. Lambert, M. Buttrick, and M. Dufresne. 1992. Recent Invasions of the Gulf of Maine: Three Contrasting Ecological Histories. Conservation Biology Volume 6, No. 3, September 1992.
Boyd, M. J., T. J. Miulligan, and F. J. Shaughnessy. 2002. Non-Indigenous marine species of Humboldt Bay, California. A Report to the California Department of Fish and Game: February 28, 2002.
Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)., 2008. Decision support tools-Identifying potentially invasive non-native marine and freshwater species: fish, invertebrates, amphibians. http://www.cefas.co.uk/projects/risks-and-impacts-of-non-native-species/decision-support-tools.aspx
Davidson, J., T. Landry, and G. Johnson. UNDATED. Pathophysiology and Ecology of Styela clava. RESEARCH - Research Summary, Environmental Integrity Theme. http://www.aquanet.ca/English/research/ei15_04.php
Davis, M. H., and M. E. Davis. 2005. Styela clava (Tunicata: Ascidiacea) - a new addition to the fauna of the Portuguese coast. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. (2005), 85, 403-404.
Dyrynda, P.E.J. 2001. Distributions and ecological impacts of non-native species within natural estuarine channels (Poole Harbour, UK). In Abstracts: Second International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions, March 9-11, 2001. New Orleans, LA http://massbay.mit.edu/publications/marinebioinvasions/mbi2_abstracts.pdf
Fuller, P. 2005. Styela clava. USGS-NAS (Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL.). http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?SpeciesID=1292
Hewitt, C. L., M. L. Campbell, R. E. Thresher, R. B. Martin, S. Boyd, B. F. Cohen, D. R. Currie, M. F. Gomon, M. J. Keough, J. A. Lewis, M. M. Lockett, N. Mays, M. A. McArthur, T. D. O'Hara, G. C. B. Poore, D. J.Ross, M. J. Storey, J. E. Watson, and R. S. Wilson. 1998. Introduced and cryptogenic species in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. Marine Biology International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters.
JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee). 1997. Non-native marine species in British waters: a review and directory. Editors: N. Clare Eno, Robin A. Clark & William G. Sanderson. http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1722
Lambert C. C., and G. Lambert. 1998. Non-indigenous ascidians in southern California harbors and marinas. Marine Biology (1998) 130: 675±688 .
Minchin, D., and S. Gollasch. 2003. Fouling and Ships' Hulls: how Changing Circumstances andSpawning Events may Result in the Spread of Exotic Species. Biofouling, 2003 Vol 19 (Supplement), pp 111-122.
National Introduced Marine Pest Information System (NIMPIS), 2002. Styela clava species summary. National Introduced Marine Pest Information System (Eds: Hewitt C.L., Martin R.B., Sliwa C., McEnnulty, F.R., Murphy, N.E., Jones T. & Cooper, S.). Web publication. http://www.marine.csiro.au/crimp/nimpis/spsummary.asp?txa=6836
NZPA. 2005. Sea squirt alert at Picton. The New Zealand Herald.
Osman, R.W. & Whitlatch, R.B. 1999. Ecological interactions of invading ascidians within epifaunal communities of Southern New England. In Abstracts: First National Conference on Marine Bioinvasions, January 24 -27, 1999. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA http://massbay.mit.edu/publications/marinebioinvasions/mbi1_abstracts.pdf
Parker, L. E., S. Culloty, R. M. O'Riordan, B. Kelleher, S. Steele, and G. Van der Velde. 1999. Preliminary study on the gonad development of the exotic ascidian Styela clava in Cork Harbour, Ireland. Journal of Marine Biol Ass. U.K. 79:1141-1142.
Parry, G. D., and B. F. Cohen. 2001Exotic species established in Western Port, including an assessment of the status of the exotic species Corbula gibba, Alexandrium spp, Gymnodinium spp and Undaria pinnatifida. Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute: Report No. 45.
Pederson, J., R. Bullock, J. Carlton, J. Dijkstra, N. Dobroski, P. Dyrynda, R. Fisher, L. Harris, N. Hobbs, G. Lambert, E. Wasem, A. Mathieson, M. Miglietta, J. Smith, J. Smith, and M. Tyrrell. 2003. Rapid assessment survey of non-native and native marine species of floating dock communities. MARINE INVADERS IN THE NORTHEAST: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sea Grant College Program, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) Dataset Extent Map, Distribution of Styela clava http://www.iobis.org/OBISWEB/ObisControllerServlet?category=all&names=data&tableName=0&searchName=styela+clava&x=20&y=13
Wasson, K., C. J. Zabin, L. Bedinger, M. C. Diaz, and J. S. Pearse. 2001. Biological invasions of estuaries without international shipping: the importance of intraregional transport. Biological Conservation 102 (2001) 143-153.
Whitlatch, R., R. Osman, A. Frese, R. Malatesta, P. Mitchell, and L. Sedgewick. 1995. The ecology of two introduced marine ascidians and their effects on epifaunal organisms in Long Island Sound. Pages 29-48 in Proceedings of the Northeast Conference on Non-Indiginous Aquatic Nuisance Species. Connecticut Sea Grant Publication Number CT-SG-95-04.
Whitlatch, R.B. and Osman, R.W. 1999. Geographical distributions and organism-habitat associations of shallow-water introduced marine fauna in New England. In Abstracts: First National Conference on Marine Bioinvasions, January 24 -27, 1999. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA http://massbay.mit.edu/publications/marinebioinvasions/mbi1_abstracts.pdf
References
Top of pageBiosecurity New Zealand MAF, 2008. Assessment of population management options for Styela clava. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/pests/salt-freshwater/styela-clava-population-management.
Clarke CL; Therriault TW, 2007. Biological Synopsis of the Invasive Tunicate Styela clava (Herdman 1881). Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2807.
Locke A; Hanson JM; MacNair NG; Smith AH, 2009. Rapid response to non-indigenous species. 2. Case studies of invasive tunicates in Prince Edward Island. Aquatic Invasions, Special issue "Proceedings of the 2nd International Invasive Sea Squirt Conference",.
World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), 2012. Styela clava. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=103929.
Distribution References
CABI, Undated. Compendium record. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CABI, Undated a. CABI Compendium: Status inferred from regional distribution. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CABI, Undated b. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI
Contributors
Top of page- Reviewed by: Expert review underway: Andrew N. Cohen San Francisco Estuary Institute Oakland California USA
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- Last Modified: Thursday, March 23, 2006
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