A colonial sea squirt (Morchellium argus)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

Clumps of pink or red lobes each about 4 cm long and consisting of many zooids. Distinguished from other polyclinids especially by the sand coating on the column.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Recorded from all around the coasts of Britain and Ireland except parts of the eastern coast of England and parts of the eastern and southern coasts of Ireland. Few records from Shetland.

Global distribution

Known from Britain and Ireland and parts of the French Atlantic coast.

Habitat

Present on the shore mainly on vertical surfaces, under overhangs and in caves. In the sublittoral, often conspicuous amongst foliose algae in the lower infralittoral especially in wave sheltered areas.

Depth range

+1 to -10 m chart datum

Identifying features

  • Colonies of pink or red lobes joined at the base.
  • Each lobe is about 4 cm long with a stalk diameter of about 1 cm.
  • Each lobe has a long firm sand-coated stalk and a wider rounded head.
  • The zooid has eight lobes on the oral siphon and a small pointed atrial languet with four red spots on the base of the oral siphon.

Additional information

No text entered

Listed by

- none -

Biology review

Taxonomy

LevelScientific nameCommon name
PhylumChordata
ClassAscidiacea
OrderAplousobranchia
FamilyPolyclinidae
GenusMorchellium
Authority(Milne Edwards, 1841)
Recent Synonyms

Biology

ParameterData
Typical abundanceModerate density
Male size range4cm
Male size at maturity
Female size rangeSmall-medium(3-10cm)
Female size at maturity
Growth formCushion
Growth rate
Body flexibility
Mobility
Characteristic feeding methodActive suspension feeder, Non-feeding
Diet/food source
Typically feeds onSuspended organic matter.
Sociability
Environmental positionEpifaunal
DependencyIndependent.
SupportsNone
Is the species harmful?Yes

Moderate levels of toxicity were found against invertebrate larvae by Teo & Ryland (1995).

Biology information

-none-

Habitat preferences

ParameterData
Physiographic preferencesOpen coast, Offshore seabed, Strait or Sound, Sea loch or Sea lough, Ria or Voe, Estuary, Enclosed coast or Embayment
Biological zone preferencesLower eulittoral, Lower infralittoral, Sublittoral fringe, Upper infralittoral
Substratum / habitat preferencesBedrock, Large to very large boulders, Small boulders
Tidal strength preferencesModerately strong 1 to 3 knots (0.5-1.5 m/sec.), Strong 3 to 6 knots (1.5-3 m/sec.), Very weak (negligible), Weak < 1 knot (<0.5 m/sec.)
Wave exposure preferencesExposed, Extremely sheltered, Moderately exposed, Sheltered, Ultra sheltered, Very sheltered
Salinity preferencesFull (30-40 psu), Variable (18-40 psu)
Depth range+1 to -10 m chart datum
Other preferences
Migration PatternNon-migratory or resident

Habitat Information

No text entered

Life history

Adult characteristics

ParameterData
Reproductive typePermanent (synchronous) hermaphrodite
Reproductive frequency
Fecundity (number of eggs)100-1,000
Generation time<1 year
Age at maturity
SeasonJune - October
Life span1-2 years

Larval characteristics

ParameterData
Larval/propagule type-
Larval/juvenile development Lecithotrophic
Duration of larval stage< 1 day
Larval dispersal potential 100 -1000 m
Larval settlement periodInsufficient information

Life history information

Eggs are about 0.34 mm diameter. Larvae are held in the atrial cavity and have a trunk about 0.8 mm long. The free-swimming period of the larva is about 2-3 hours. Berrill (1950) suggests that brooding colonies are present in September and October but records in the Plymouth Marine Fauna suggest breeding June to September.

Sensitivity reviewHow is sensitivity assessed?

Physical pressures

Use / to open/close text displayed

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence / Confidence
Substratum loss [Show more]

Substratum loss

Benchmark. All of the substratum occupied by the species or biotope under consideration is removed. A single event is assumed for sensitivity assessment. Once the activity or event has stopped (or between regular events) suitable substratum remains or is deposited. Species or community recovery assumes that the substratum within the habitat preferences of the original species or community is present. Further details

Evidence

Colonies are sessile and will therefore be lost along with their substratum. Larvae disperse in the water column so that, providing coonies survive nearby, recovery will occur following the late summer larval dispersal phase.
High High Moderate High
Smothering [Show more]

Smothering

Benchmark. All of the population of a species or an area of a biotope is smothered by sediment to a depth of 5 cm above the substratum for one month. Impermeable materials, such as concrete, oil, or tar, are likely to have a greater effect. Further details.

Evidence

Colonies rely on being able to pump water for respiration and feeding and cannot extend to any great extent to above layer of smothering sediment. Whilst they may survive for a little time in conditions where they are unable to draw water though the siphons, it is expected that they would be killed by smothering that lasts more than a few days. Larvae disperse in the water column so that, providing colonies survive nearby, recovery will occur following the late summer larval dispersal phase.
High High Moderate Moderate
Increase in suspended sediment [Show more]

Increase in suspended sediment

Benchmark. An arbitrary short-term, acute change in background suspended sediment concentration e.g., a change of 100 mg/l for one month. The resultant light attenuation effects are addressed under turbidity, and the effects of rapid settling out of suspended sediment are addressed under smothering. Further details

Evidence

Colonies produce mucous which is shed to remove deposited silt. Colonies live in areas where high suspended sediment levels commonly occur and it is therefore expected that intolerance is low. Larvae disperse in the water column so that, providing colonies survive nearby, recovery will occur following the late summer larval dispersal phase.
Low High Low Moderate
Decrease in suspended sediment [Show more]

Decrease in suspended sediment

Benchmark. An arbitrary short-term, acute change in background suspended sediment concentration e.g., a change of 100 mg/l for one month. The resultant light attenuation effects are addressed under turbidity, and the effects of rapid settling out of suspended sediment are addressed under smothering. Further details

Evidence

No information
Desiccation [Show more]

Desiccation

  1. A normally subtidal, demersal or pelagic species including intertidal migratory or under-boulder species is continuously exposed to air and sunshine for one hour.
  2. A normally intertidal species or community is exposed to a change in desiccation equivalent to a change in position of one vertical biological zone on the shore, e.g., from upper eulittoral to the mid eulittoral or from sublittoral fringe to lower eulittoral for a period of one year. Further details.

Evidence

Colonies are likely to dry and be damaged by exposure to air and especially sunshine in non-damp situations on the shore. Larvae disperse in the water column so that, providing colonies survive nearby, recovery will occur following the late summer larval dispersal phase.
High High Moderate Moderate
Increase in emergence regime [Show more]

Increase in emergence regime

Benchmark. A one hour change in the time covered or not covered by the sea for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

Colonies live in the intertidal only in locations where damp conditions prevail (under overhangs and under boulders). In such a situation, there will be some tolerance to increased emersion times but it is likely that colonies will not survive during periods of hot drying weather. Larvae disperse in the water column so that, providing colonies survive nearby, recovery will occur following the late summer larval dispersal phase.
Intermediate High Low Low
Decrease in emergence regime [Show more]

Decrease in emergence regime

Benchmark. A one hour change in the time covered or not covered by the sea for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

No information
Increase in water flow rate [Show more]

Increase in water flow rate

A change of two categories in water flow rate (view glossary) for 1 year, for example, from moderately strong (1-3 knots) to very weak (negligible). Further details

Evidence

Morchellium argus lives in a wide range of flow regimes. Larvae disperse in the water column so that, providing colonies survive nearby, recovery will occur following the late summer larval dispersal phase.
Low High Low Low
Decrease in water flow rate [Show more]

Decrease in water flow rate

A change of two categories in water flow rate (view glossary) for 1 year, for example, from moderately strong (1-3 knots) to very weak (negligible). Further details

Evidence

No information
Increase in temperature [Show more]

Increase in temperature

  1. A short-term, acute change in temperature; e.g., a 5°C change in the temperature range for three consecutive days. This definition includes ‘short-term’ thermal discharges.
  2. A long-term, chronic change in temperature; e.g. a 2°C change in the temperature range for a year. This definition includes ‘long term’ thermal discharges.

For intertidal species or communities, the range of temperatures includes the air temperature regime for that species or community. Further details

Evidence

Morchellium is in the middle of its geographical range in Britain and Ireland suggesting that it will survive slightly higher and lower temperatures.
Low Very high Very Low Moderate
Decrease in temperature [Show more]

Decrease in temperature

  1. A short-term, acute change in temperature; e.g., a 5°C change in the temperature range for three consecutive days. This definition includes ‘short-term’ thermal discharges.
  2. A long-term, chronic change in temperature; e.g. a 2°C change in the temperature range for a year. This definition includes ‘long term’ thermal discharges.

For intertidal species or communities, the range of temperatures includes the air temperature regime for that species or community. Further details

Evidence

Morchellium is in the middle of its geographical range in Britain and Ireland suggesting that it will survive slightly higher and lower temperatures. Crisp (1964) did not record any specific effects on Morchellium following the severe cold winter of 1962/63 but noted that compound ascidians were slower to recover from winter de-differentiation, or may have been killed in North Wales.
Intermediate High Low Moderate
Increase in turbidity [Show more]

Increase in turbidity

  1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., two categories of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one month, such as from medium to extreme turbidity.
  2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., one category of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one year, such as from low to medium turbidity. Further details

Evidence

Morchellium lives in areas such as the entrances to estuaries where highly turbid conditions occur from time-to-time especially as a result of river run-off. Morchellium does not rely on light penetration and so, although populations seem to be restricted to shallow depths, is unlikely to be affected by changes in light levels.
Low High Low Low
Decrease in turbidity [Show more]

Decrease in turbidity

  1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., two categories of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one month, such as from medium to extreme turbidity.
  2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., one category of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one year, such as from low to medium turbidity. Further details

Evidence

No information
Increase in wave exposure [Show more]

Increase in wave exposure

A change of two ranks on the wave exposure scale (view glossary) e.g., from Exposed to Extremely exposed for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

Morchellium lives in a wide range of flow regimes although vigorous wave action may detach colonies. Larvae disperse in the water column so that, providing colonies survive nearby, recovery will occur following the late summer larval dispersal phase.
Low High Low Low
Decrease in wave exposure [Show more]

Decrease in wave exposure

A change of two ranks on the wave exposure scale (view glossary) e.g., from Exposed to Extremely exposed for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

No information
Noise [Show more]

Noise

  1. Underwater noise levels e.g., the regular passing of a 30-metre trawler at 100 metres or a working cutter-suction transfer dredge at 100 metres for one month during important feeding or breeding periods.
  2. Atmospheric noise levels e.g., the regular passing of a Boeing 737 passenger jet 300 metres overhead for one month during important feeding or breeding periods. Further details

Evidence

Tunicates are not known to have organs sensitive to noise.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive High
Visual presence [Show more]

Visual presence

Benchmark. The continuous presence for one month of moving objects not naturally found in the marine environment (e.g., boats, machinery, and humans) within the visual envelope of the species or community under consideration. Further details

Evidence

Tunicates are not known to respond to visual presence.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive High
Abrasion & physical disturbance [Show more]

Abrasion & physical disturbance

Benchmark. Force equivalent to a standard scallop dredge landing on or being dragged across the organism. A single event is assumed for assessment. This factor includes mechanical interference, crushing, physical blows against, or rubbing and erosion of the organism or habitat of interest. Where trampling is relevant, the evidence and trampling intensity will be reported in the rationale. Further details.

Evidence

Colonies are very flexible and soft providing a buffer against external abrasion from such factors as a fishing pot landing on a colony. Morchellium lives in a wide range of flow regimes although high currents or vigorous wave action may detach colonies. However, individuals and colonies may be scraped off the rock by an anchor or passing dredge. Intolerance is therefore assessed as intermediate. Larvae disperse in the water column so that, providing colonies survive nearby, recovery will occur following the late summer larval dispersal phase.
Intermediate High Low Moderate
Displacement [Show more]

Displacement

Benchmark. Removal of the organism from the substratum and displacement from its original position onto a suitable substratum. A single event is assumed for assessment. Further details

Evidence

The colonies are attached permanently to the substratum and will not re-attach so that displacement, even if to a suitable habitat, would most likely result in mortality. Morchellium lives in a wide range of flow regimes although high currents or vigorous wave action may detach colonies. Larvae disperse in the water column so that, providing colonies survive nearby, recovery will occur following the late summer larval dispersal phase.
High High Moderate Moderate

Chemical pressures

Use [show more] / [show less] to open/close text displayed

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence / Confidence
Synthetic compound contamination [Show more]

Synthetic compound contamination

Sensitivity is assessed against the available evidence for the effects of contaminants on the species (or closely related species at low confidence) or community of interest. For example:

  • evidence of mass mortality of a population of the species or community of interest (either short or long term) in response to a contaminant will be ranked as high sensitivity;
  • evidence of reduced abundance, or extent of a population of the species or community of interest (either short or long term) in response to a contaminant will be ranked as intermediate sensitivity;
  • evidence of sub-lethal effects or reduced reproductive potential of a population of the species or community of interest will be assessed as low sensitivity.

The evidence used is stated in the rationale. Where the assessment can be based on a known activity then this is stated. The tolerance to contaminants of species of interest will be included in the rationale when available; together with relevant supporting material. Further details.

Evidence

No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Heavy metal contamination [Show more]

Heavy metal contamination

Evidence

No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Hydrocarbon contamination [Show more]

Hydrocarbon contamination

Evidence

No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Radionuclide contamination [Show more]

Radionuclide contamination

Evidence

No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Changes in nutrient levels [Show more]

Changes in nutrient levels

Evidence

Morchellium occurs where nutrient levels are likely to reach high levels (at the entrance to estuaries). The species is dependant on food sources that are not likely to be affected by local nutrient concentrations.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Moderate
Increase in salinity [Show more]

Increase in salinity

  1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., a change of two categories from the MNCR salinity scale for one week (view glossary) such as from full to reduced.
  2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., a change of one category from the MNCR salinity scale for one year (view glossary) such as from reduced to low. Further details.

Evidence

Colonies occur in full and variable salinity conditions suggesting significant tolerance to at least lowered salinity. Larvae disperse in the water column so that, providing colonies survive nearby, recovery will occur following the late summer larval dispersal phase.
Intermediate High Low Low
Decrease in salinity [Show more]

Decrease in salinity

  1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., a change of two categories from the MNCR salinity scale for one week (view glossary) such as from full to reduced.
  2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., a change of one category from the MNCR salinity scale for one year (view glossary) such as from reduced to low. Further details.

Evidence

No information
Changes in oxygenation [Show more]

Changes in oxygenation

Benchmark.  Exposure to a dissolved oxygen concentration of 2 mg/l for one week. Further details.

Evidence

No information Not relevant No information Not relevant

Biological pressures

Use [show more] / [show less] to open/close text displayed

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence / Confidence
Introduction of microbial pathogens/parasites [Show more]

Introduction of microbial pathogens/parasites

Benchmark. Sensitivity can only be assessed relative to a known, named disease, likely to cause partial loss of a species population or community. Further details.

Evidence

No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Introduction of non-native species [Show more]

Introduction of non-native species

Sensitivity assessed against the likely effect of the introduction of alien or non-native species in Britain or Ireland. Further details.

Evidence

No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Extraction of this species [Show more]

Extraction of this species

Benchmark. Extraction removes 50% of the species or community from the area under consideration. Sensitivity will be assessed as 'intermediate'. The habitat remains intact or recovers rapidly. Any effects of the extraction process on the habitat itself are addressed under other factors, e.g. displacement, abrasion and physical disturbance, and substratum loss. Further details.

Evidence

Larvae disperse in the water column so that, providing colonies survive nearby, recovery will occur following the late summer larval dispersal phase.
Intermediate High Low Moderate
Extraction of other species [Show more]

Extraction of other species

Benchmark. A species that is a required host or prey for the species under consideration (and assuming that no alternative host exists) or a keystone species in a biotope is removed. Any effects of the extraction process on the habitat itself are addressed under other factors, e.g. displacement, abrasion and physical disturbance, and substratum loss. Further details.

Evidence

where extraction of other species from under boulder habitats results in the stones being left downside up, there will be significant damage to Morchellium colinies. However, most other forms of extraction of species that co-occur with Morchellium (especially deployment of pots or creels to catch shellfish) are unlikely to cause damage to Morchellium.
Intermediate High Low

Additional information

Importance review

Policy/legislation

- no data -

Status

Non-native

ParameterData
Native-
Origin-
Date Arrived-

Importance information

-none-

Bibliography

  1. Berrill, N.J., 1950. The Tunicata with an account of the British species. London: Ray Society.

  2. Crisp, D.J. (ed.), 1964. The effects of the severe winter of 1962-63 on marine life in Britain. Journal of Animal Ecology, 33, 165-210.

  3. Crisp, D.J., Southward, A.J. & Southward, E.C., 1981. On the distribution of the intertidal barnacles Chthamalus stellatus, Chthamalus montagui and Euraphia depressa. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 61, 359-380.

  4. Howson, C.M. & Picton, B.E., 1997. The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast: Ulster Museum. [Ulster Museum publication, no. 276.]

  5. JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee), 1999. Marine Environment Resource Mapping And Information Database (MERMAID): Marine Nature Conservation Review Survey Database. [on-line] http://www.jncc.gov.uk/mermaid

  6. MBA (Marine Biological Association), 1957. Plymouth Marine Fauna. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.

  7. Picton, B.E. & Costello, M.J., 1998. BioMar biotope viewer: a guide to marine habitats, fauna and flora of Britain and Ireland. [CD-ROM] Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin.

  8. Teo, S.L.-M. & Ryland, J.S., 1995. Potential antifouling mechanisms using toxic chemicals in some British ascidians. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 188, 49-62.

Datasets

  1. Centre for Environmental Data and Recording, 2018. Ulster Museum Marine Surveys of Northern Ireland Coastal Waters. Occurrence dataset https://www.nmni.com/CEDaR/CEDaR-Centre-for-Environmental-Data-and-Recording.aspx accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-25.

  2. Dorset Environmental Records Centre, 2018. Ross Coral Mapping Project - NBN South West Pilot Project Case Studies. Occurrence dataset:https://doi.org/10.15468/mnlzxc accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-25.

  3. Fenwick, 2018. Aphotomarine. Occurrence dataset http://www.aphotomarine.com/index.html Accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-01

  4. Kent Wildlife Trust, 2018. Kent Wildlife Trust Shoresearch Intertidal Survey 2004 onwards. Occurrence dataset: https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/ accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-01.

  5. Manx Biological Recording Partnership, 2018. Isle of Man historical wildlife records 1990 to 1994. Occurrence dataset:https://doi.org/10.15468/aru16v accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  6. National Trust, 2017. National Trust Species Records. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/opc6g1 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  7. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  8. Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service, 2017. NBIS Records to December 2016. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/jca5lo accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  9. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2024. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2024-03-28

  10. South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre, 2018. SEWBReC Marine and other Aquatic Invertebrates (South East Wales). Occurrence dataset:https://doi.org/10.15468/zxy1n6 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-02.

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Hiscock, K. 2006. Morchellium argus A colonial sea squirt. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 28-03-2024]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1373

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Last Updated: 09/11/2006