| Styela clava | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Tunicata |
| Class: | Ascidiacea |
| Order: | Stolidobranchia |
| Family: | Styelidae |
| Genus: | Styela |
| Species: | S. clava |
| Binomial name | |
| Styela clava[1] Herdman, 1881 |
|
The Stalked Sea Squirt, Styela clava, is a solitary, hermaphroditic, ascidian tunicate that is found off Australia[2] and New Zealand,[3] both coasts of North America,[4] and Europe.[5]
These sea squirts are characterized by their brown or yellow, rough and wrinkled surface. They can grow to be about 6 in (15 cm) tall and can be found on lobster pots, pilings, and fishing nets. This species of sea squirts is native to Japan. It may have been carried to New England waters from Europe (where it arrived in the early 1950s) in ballast water or ship fouling.[6]
It is also commonly eaten in Korea, where it is eaten in soup, and is called Mideodeok (미더덕). When the animal is hammered to prepare it as food, it is believed that inhaling some of its tissue can cause asthma. (Body extracts are highly allergenic, but mideodeok preparation often occurs under poorly ventilated working conditions).
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Populations around Los Angeles, CA grow 1-1.5 cm/month for 6 months, reaching maturity and slowing growth at about 9 cm in size. Broadcast spawning occurs late spring to early fall. They occur to at least 25 m deep, and filter approximately 150 mL of water / minute / gram body weight.[7]