Ciona intestinalis (Sea vase, Vase tunicate)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Tunicata > Ascidiacea (sea squirts) > Phlebobranchia > Family: Cionidae

Ciona intestinalis (Sea vase, Vase tunicate). Top: bed of zooids; left: zooids on a rope; upper right: one individual zooid showing oral siphon to the left and atrial siphon to the right; lower right: bed of zooids. [photos CL Griffiths ©]

Distribution and habitat

Native to the northern Atlantic Ocean, but has been recorded as an invader to harbours in both temperate and tropical climates. Within South Africa, it has been recorded from harbours ranging from Saldanha Bay to Durban. First recorded in southern Africa in 1955 (Picker and Griffiths 2011).

Importance

Important fouling species that covers marine structures. It is a problem in aquaculture facilities where it, for instance, covers mussel ropes and in the process smothering and killing the muscles (Picker and Griffiths 2011).

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