Invasive tunicates

[waterkitty]

Scott, Thank you for your observations. They are of great use to me.
I will be doing some temperature and substrate comparisons as well.
That's a great photo, by the way. (Which part of Long Island do you dive from? I went to school in Southampton.)

I don't know how far south your area of study goes. I've been seeing this tunicate with increasing frequency in the New York metro area. Specifically while diving off of Long Island.

In my area it seems to prefer the inlets of the south shore. These sites generally experiece cooler water temps and stronger currents than areas where it is less common.

I've seen it attached to large boulders, wood dock pilings and cement bridge supports.

If you have any specific questions about my observations, feel free to ask, and good luck with your study.

Scott

 

[waterkitty]

Pardon my ignorance, but where is Old Garden Beach?
Thanks for the photo!

Well it's gotten over to Old Garden Beach also. We saw it there this Saturday. Here's a picture.

 

[aquageek]

Rockport, Ma

 

[ScubaNorth]

Pardon my ignorance, but where is Old Garden Beach?
Thanks for the photo!

Hey Kitty;
http://www.divingobsession.com/location/details.tdf?keyedType=DVST&keyedId=212

This site has a photo and directions.

 

[ScottyK]

Scott, Thank you for your observations. They are of great use to me.
I will be doing some temperature and substrate comparisons as well.
That's a great photo, by the way. (Which part of Long Island do you dive from? I went to school in Southampton.)

Hey Linda,

I'm about an hour from Southampton. My Fiance and I dive all over Long Island and the Northeast

If you are familiar with the Ponquoge Bridge, that is one of the first places we noticed these tunicates. They seem to like the cement bridge supports and the high current. This last is just conjecture on my part, but they at least seem to be more common around here in areas that experience greater tidal activity.

There are a couple of other things I can recall that may be of interest to you. One is that 2003 is the first year I remember seeing them. Also, they were one of the last things alive when the water started going down into the 50's. We did our last dive of the season in mid November and they were still clinging on.

I have several other good pics. If you want them, I can E-mail them to you with exact dates and locations. Just PM me your address.

 

[yak]

They are all over the Plymouth and Duxbury area also.

 

[waterkitty]

Ah yes, the Ponquogue Bridge. ::wipes away a nostalgic tear:: I remember walking down to the marine station and the bay at the end of Shinnecock Rd. and being able to see Ponquogue. I crossed it a few times too. Perhaps this research will be a trip down memory lane and a reason to visit the old alma mater before they kick out all the undergrads. ::sigh::

Hey Linda,

I'm about an hour from Southampton. My Fiance and I dive all over Long Island and the Northeast

If you are familiar with the Ponquoge Bridge, that is one of the first places we noticed these tunicates. They seem to like the cement bridge supports and the high current. This last is just conjecture on my part, but they at least seem to be more common around here in areas that experience greater tidal activity.

There are a couple of other things I can recall that may be of interest to you. One is that 2003 is the first year I remember seeing them. Also, they were one of the last things alive when the water started going down into the 50's. We did our last dive of the season in mid November and they were still clinging on.

I have several other good pics. If you want them, I can E-mail them to you with exact dates and locations. Just PM me your address.

 

[ScottyK]

Ah yes, the Ponquogue Bridge. ::wipes away a nostalgic tear:: I remember walking down to the marine station and the bay at the end of Shinnecock Rd. and being able to see Ponquogue. I crossed it a few times too. Perhaps this research will be a trip down memory lane and a reason to visit the old alma mater before they kick out all the undergrads. ::sigh::

Hey Linda,

If you can get a research grant for that, let me know

Jen and I can escort you directly to several places where you are sure to find your tunicate, and several places in the Hamptons with extended happy hours

BTW- I got your PM- I'm going to go through my photo archives over the weekend and will get the pics togrther. I'm also doing a couple of dives in Montauk on Saturday, and will hopefully get a couple more photos for you.

Scott

 

[ScubaNorth]

Hey WK

Do these critters grow on Mussels? Saw quite a few large mussels at OGB with white stuff covering them. Looked to be the same stuff as in the photos. If you had a group of 4 or 5 Mussels only one might be covered in the stuff. Didn't seem to be hurting the mussel, well they were still alive anyway.

 

[waterkitty]

ScubaNorth,
Why yes, they do grow on mussels. Quite abundantly, as a matter of fact. Underneath the GSO dock here some large mussels are completely overgrown to the point where it seems their ability to open their valves for feeding may be limited. Alas, that is one more thing I have set out to study. Thanks for the observation. Looks like I really have to make a trip up there and check it out. What depth did you see the mussels? Is OGB pretty nice for a beginner diver? I am still getting the hang of it. But gosh darn it, it's fun.
Peace,
Kitty

Hey WK

Do these critters grow on Mussels? Saw quite a few large mussels at OGB with white stuff covering them. Looked to be the same stuff as in the photos. If you had a group of 4 or 5 Mussels only one might be covered in the stuff. Didn't seem to be hurting the mussel, well they were still alive anyway.