Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: Oceanside/CA/Oceanside Harbor (1995, Lambert and Lambert 2003)
Geographic Extent
Oceanside/CA/Oceanside Harbor (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, Lambert and Lambert 2003); Oceanside/CA/Oceanside Harbor (2001, Fairey et al. 2002; 2011, California Department of Fish and Wildlife 2014)
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Probable | Hull Fouling |
Regional Impacts
| Ecological Impact | Competition | |
| Styela plicata has been the dominant marina fouling organism in southern California harbors since 1960 (Lambert and Lambert 1998). It produced large monospecific patches in Oceanside Harbor (Lambert and Lambert 2003). It and other introduced ascidians have replaced the native species Pyura haustor and Ascidia ceratodes in southern California harbors (Lambert and Lambert 1998). | ||