Microcosmus squamiger (Blunt-spined microcosmus)
Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa
(animals) >
Bilateria > Deuterostomia >
Chordata > Tunicata >
Ascidiacea (sea squirts) > Stolidobranchia > Family:
Pyuridae > Genus:
Microcosmus
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Microcosmus squamiger (Blunt-spined microcosmus). [photo CL Griffiths
©] |
Distribution and habitat
An Australian species that has colonized other
parts of the world, including South Africa, where it is now common
in harbours and marinas, ranging from Richard's Bay (KwaZulu-Natal)
to Mossel Bay (Western Cape) (Picker and Griffiths 2011) .
Importance
Fouls marine structures such as ropes and
pontoons by forming aggregates on them. In North America, it is a
fouling problem on oyster farms (Picker and Griffiths 2011).
In the Mediterranean this exotic species forms aggregations on
rocks, thus excluding native species (Picker and Griffiths 2011).
Links
- Sanamyan, K. (2012). Microcosmus squamiger
Michaelsen, 1927. In: Noa Shenkar, Arjan Gittenberger, Gretchen
Lambert, Marc Rius, Rosana Moreira Da Rocha, Billie J Swalla,
Xavier Turon (2012) Ascidiacea World Database. Accessed through:
World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) on 2012-02-12.
Publications
- Branch GM, Griffiths CL, Branch ML, Beckley LE. 2017. Two
oceans - a guide to the marine life of southern Africa (4th Edition). Penguin Random House South Africa, Cape Town.
More details...
- Monniot C, Monniot F and Griffiths CL. 2001. South African
ascidians. Annals of the South African Museum 108(1): 1-141.
- Picker M and Griffiths C. 2011. Alien and Invasive Animals -
A South African Perspective. Struik Nature, Cape Town.
Text by Hamish Robertson |
