National Institute for Environmental Studies Invasive Species of Japan Japanese | English
  1. Invasive Species of Japan >
  2. Invertebrates (except insects) >
  3. Molgula manhattensis

Molgula manhattensis

Basic information
Scientific name Molgula manhattensis (No picture)
Common names
Higher taxon Molgulidae, Pleurogona, Ascidiacea, Chordata
Natural range N Atlantic Ocean.
Habitat Artificial materials in intertidal zone around river mouses and ports.
Invasion information
Range in Japan Tokyo, Shizuoka, Aichi, Osaka, Hyogo, Ehime, Fukuoka Prefs. Range in Japan
Origin Unknown.
Date The first record was in 1972 at Hiroshima Pref. Spread in 1970s to 1990s.
Route Accidental: Hitchhiking ballast water. There is a record of fouling on a sea turtle (Caretta caretta) carapace.
Impact Potentially competitive with bivalves and impact on aquafarmings.
Native organism(s) affected: Bivalves.
Regulation in Japan None.
Introduced range in other countries Coast of Australia, continental China, western N America, Brazil, UK, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, etc.
Reference Notes
  • Ecol Soc Japan (ed) (2002) Handbook of Alien Species in Japan. Chijin-Shokan. (in Jpn)
  • Iwasaki et al. (2004) Human-mediated introduction and dispersal of marine organisms in Japan: Results of a questionnaire survey by the committee for the preservation of the natural environment, the Japanese association of benthology. Jpn J Benthol. 59:22-44. (in Jpn with English abstract)
  • Nakamura (ed) (1988) Alien Species of Japan. Kanagawa Prefectural Museum. (in Jpn)
  • OBIS http://www.iobis.org/
  • etc.