BIOTIC Species Information for Ascidia spp.
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| Researched by | Sean Lindsley-Leake |
Data supplied by | MarLIN |
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed |
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| Taxonomy |
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| Scientific name | Ascidia spp. |
Common name | A sea squirt |
| MCS Code | ZD87 |
Recent Synonyms | none |
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| Phylum | Chordata |
Subphylum | Tunicate |
| Superclass | |
Class | Ascidiacea |
| Subclass | |
Order | Enterogona |
| Suborder | Phlebobranchia |
Family | Ascidiidae |
| Genus | Ascidia |
Species | |
| Subspecies | |
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| Additional Information | |
| Taxonomy References |
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| General Biology |
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| Growth form | |
Feeding method | |
| Mobility/Movement | Permanent attachment
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Environmental position | |
| Typical food types | phytoplankton |
Habit | Attached |
| Bioturbator | |
Flexibility | High (>45 degrees) |
| Fragility | Fragile |
Size | Small-medium(3-10cm) |
| Height | |
Growth Rate | Not researched |
| Adult dispersal potential | Not researched |
Dependency | Independent |
| Sociability | Solitary |
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| Toxic/Poisonous? | No |
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| General Biology Additional Information | |
| Biology References |
Havenhand & Svane, 1989, Millar, 1970, |
| Distribution and Habitat |
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| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Found on all British and Irish coasts especially western Scotland. |
| Global distribution | Found in the north-east Atlantic from Norway to the Azores, in the Mediterranean, southern Africa, Indian Ocean, south-east Asia and eastern Australia, and on both west and east coasts of North America. |
| Biogeographic range | Cold temperate to warm temperate. |
Depth range | |
| Migratory | |
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| Distribution Additional Information | |
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| Substratum preferences | |
Physiographic preferences | |
| Biological zone | |
Wave exposure | |
| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | |
Salinity | |
| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |
| Distribution References |
Havenhand, 1991, Havenhand & Svane, 1989, |
| Reproduction/Life History |
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| Reproductive type | Permanent hermaphrodite
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Developmental mechanism | Lecithotrophic
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| Reproductive Season | All year, peaks in August and September |
Reproductive Location | Water column |
| Reproductive frequency | Annual episodic |
Regeneration potential |
No |
| Life span | 1-2 years |
Age at reproductive maturity | Insufficient information |
| Generation time | Insufficient information |
Fecundity | 6-8 |
| Egg/propagule size | dependant on species |
Fertilization type | External |
| Larvae/Juveniles |
| Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential | 1km-10km |
Larval settlement period | August and September |
| Duration of larval stage | 2-10 days |
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | Can delay metamorphosis of tadpole larvae according to suitable substratum and presence/absence of predators/conspecifics |
| Reproduction References |
Svane & Lundalv, 1981, Havenhand, 1991, Havenhand & Svane, 1989, Millar, 1970, Svane & Young, 1989, Tarjuelo & Turon, 2004, |
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