Leathery sea squirt
Styela clava
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Photo credit: ©Chris Wood, Marine Conservation Society
Leathery sea squirt - Styela clava
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
Potential or Known Impacts:
How did it get here?
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Methods for Prevention:
Leathery sea squirt - Styela clava
Habitat:
Description:
- It is found on hard surfaces in shallow water, and is often seen in warm water docks and harbour installations.
Description:
- It has a long club-shaped body, which tapers to a slender, tough stalk.
- It can reach 12cm in length, and the stalk can be up to a third of the total length.
- Its skin can be leathery; folds and swellings are present.
- The siphons are close tighter at the top of the body.
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
- It is native to the north western Pacific, being found in Japan, Korea and Siberia.
- It is now found in France, the Netherlands, Denmark and Northern Ireland.
Potential or Known Impacts:
- It may become the dominant species, if high densities occur, therefore causing a decrease of native invertebrates.
- In oyster and mussel beds, it can compete for food and space. It may foul these commercial beds, along with buoys, moorings and boats.
How did it get here?
- It likely got here on the hulls of boats. It can also fouls oyster beds, providing another pathway to spread along.
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
- It is present in Northern Ireland.
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Methods for Prevention:
- Report all sightings.
- Check, clean and dry equipment to prevent spread.
NIEA-ID-Guide-Styela-clava-Leathery-Sea-Squirt