Species Regional Summary
Ascidiella aspersa
Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras ( NA-ET3 )

Invasion History Vectors Impacts References

Invasion

Invasion Description

1st record: MA/Cape Cod Canal (1983, Richard Whittaker, personal communication to James T. Carlton)

Geographic Extent

\Stirling Harbor Shipyard, Greenport, Long Island/NY/Long Island Sound (2019, Pederson et al. 2021); Avery Point, Groton/CT/Fishers Island Sound (1985, 1997, Berger and Whitlach 1997; Osman and Whitlach 1999; Whitlach and Osman 2000); Mystic Marine Fuel, Mystic/CT/Mystic River (9/16/2009, MIT Sea Grant 2011); Brewer Mystic Marina, Mystic/CT/Fishers Island Sound (2019, Pederson et al. 2021); Point Judith Marina, Wakefield/RI/Point Judith Pond (7/16/2009, MIT Sea Grant 2011; 2010, Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management 2013; 2019, Pederson et al. 2021); Fort Adams State Park/Newport/RI/Narragansett Bay (2010, Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management 2013);; Jamestown/RI/Narragansett Bay (1997, Whitlach and Osman 2000); Fall River/MA/Battleship Cove, Mount Hope Bay (2000, MIT Sea Grant 2003); Colt State Park, Bristol/ RI/Narragansett Bay (2000, MIT Sea Grant 2003); Roger Williams University dock, Bristol/RI/Narragansett Bay (2000, MIT Sea Grant 2003); Potters Cove, Prudence Island/RI/Narragansett Bay (2000, MIT Sea Grant 2003); North Kingstown/RI/Allens Harbor (Narragansett Bay) (2000, MIT Sea Grant 2003); Prudence Island T-Wharf, Bay Islands Park/RI/Narragansett Bay (2000, MIT Sea Grant 2003); Wickford Marina, Wickford/RI/Wickford Harbor (2000, MIT Sea Grant 2003); Newport Shipyard, Newport/RI/East Passage, Narragansett Bay (2000, MIT Sea Grant 2003); Coasters Harbor, Newport/RI/East Passage, Narragansett Bay (2000, MIT Sea Grant 2003); Woods Hole Coast Guard Station, Woods Hole/MA/Vineyard Sound (2000, MIT Sea Grant 2003); Woods Hole/MA/Eel Pond, Vineyard Sound (2000, MIT Sea Grant 2003); Martha's Vineyard/MA/Lagoon Pond (6/2007, 41o27'28.4" 70o35'11.8", Carman et al. 2009); 9 of 24 Martha's Vineyard aquaculture sites/MA/survey of 19 embayments (Carman et al. 2010); Marthas Vineyard/MA/Stonewall Pond (2012-2013, Colarusso et al. 2016); Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Bourne/MA/Buzzards Bay (2000, MIT Sea Grant 2003); 2010, Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management 2013); Bourne Marina/MA/Buzzards Bay (2000, MIT Sea Grant 2003); MA/Cape Cod Canal (1983, Richard Whittaker, personal communication to James T. Carlton); Popes Island Marina, New Bedford (2010, Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management 2013)

Vectors

Level Vector
Probable Hull Fouling

Regional Impacts

Ecological ImpactCompetition
In Long Island Sound, 'Ascidiella's primary effect was the reduction of available substrate on which other species could recruit successfully' (Osman and Whitlach 2000).
 
Economic ImpactFisheries
Ascidiella aspersa was found fouling aquaculture gear at eight sites, and cultured Bay Scallops (Argopecten irradians) at two sites, of 26 aquaculture sites surveyed on Marthas Vineyard (Carman et al. 2010).
 

References

Full Reference List for Ascidiella aspersa

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