Distribution of the invasive tunicate Styela clava in Long Island Sound, New England, USA

摘要

The clubbed tunicate Styela clava (Herdman, 1881) is an invasive, solitary, club-shaped organism native to the western Pacific. S. clava has spread far beyond its native range into temperate waters worldwide, including those of Long Island Sound (LIS) on the northeastern coast of the United States. A visual inspection of public and private commercial and recreational marinas and docks located along the shores of LIS was conducted between June 2011 and September 2013. The wrack lines of public beaches and other public coastal areas were also surveyed. S. clava was found at 77.8 % of the sites surveyed indicating it has now fully colonized the Sound. It is strongly suggested that managers of neighboring waters be vigilante, and be prepared to take steps to mitigate negative impacts, should the species spread further south along the Atlantic Coast of the United States.