BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Ciona intestinalis
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Angus Jackson	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Dr John Bishop
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Widely distributed round British and Irish coasts.
Global distribution	Widely distributed throughout temperate regions of the world.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range	Lower shore to at least 500 m
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information	Growths of the hydroid %Tubularia larynx% may greatly enhance the settlement and may be a causative factor for ascidian blooms (Schmidt, 1983). Ciona intestinalis is believed to have originated as a North Atlantic species but has spread widely through shipping to all temperate regions.

Substratum preferences	Other species (see additional information) Algae Artificial (e.g. metal/wood/concrete) Bedrock Large to very large boulders Small boulders	Physiographic preferences	Open coast Offshore seabed Strait / sound Sealoch Ria / Voe Estuary Enclosed coast / Embayment
Biological zone	Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral Upper Circalittoral Lower Circalittoral	Wave exposure	Moderately Exposed Sheltered Very Sheltered Extremely Sheltered Ultra Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Moderately Strong (1-3 kn) Weak (<1 kn) Very Weak (negligible)	Salinity	Full (30-40 psu) Reduced (18-30 psu) Variable (18-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References	Svane & Havenhand, 1993, Schmidt, 1983, Havenhand & Svane, 1991, Naranjo et al., 1996, Millar, 1970, Fox, 1994(a), Branch et al., 1994,