Didemnum vexillum

Didemnum vexillum
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Tunicata
Class:	Ascidiacea
Order:	Aplousobranchia
Family:	Didemnidae
Genus:	Didemnum
Species:	D. vexillum
Binomial name
	Didemnum vexillum; Kott, 2002
Synonyms
	Didemnum vestitum Kott, 2004; Didemnum vestum Kott, 2004;

Didemnum vexillum is a species of colonial tunicate in the family Didemnidae. It is commonly called sea vomit,^[2] marine vomit,^[3] pancake batter tunicate,^[4] or carpet sea squirt.^[5] It is thought to be native to Japan, but it has been reported as an invasive species in a number of places in Europe, North America and New Zealand. It is sometimes given the nickname "D. vex" because of the vexing way in which it dominates marine ecosystems when introduced into new locations;^[6] however, the species epithet vexillum actually derives from the Latin word for flag, and the species was so named because of the way colonies' long tendrils appear to wave in the water like a flag.

D. vexillum can grow on most hard substrates, including cobble, boulders, and artificial structures including boats, dock pilings, and aquaculture equipment. It can also grow over other organisms, including sessile invertebrates, algae, and eelgrass.^[7] Its appearance has given rise to the common names of sea vomit or marine vomit. It was first described from New Zealand as Didemnum vexillum by Patricia Kott in 2002. The species had been discovered previously in its native region of Japan.^[8]

^ Gittenberger, Arjan (2014). "Didemnum vexillum Kott, 2002". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
^ Alaska Center for Conservation Science. "Guide to some tunicates of Alaska". Field Guides for Kachemak Bay.
^ "Didemnum vexillum Kott, 2002". NBN Atlas.
^ "Invasive Tunicates". Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
^ "The carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum)". The Marine Life Information Network.
^ "Invasive Species — Didemnum Tunicate (Didemnum vexillum)". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
^ Leeuw, T; Boss, ES; Slade, WH (2011). Pollock NW (ed.). Spectral Reflectance as a Method to Identify the Invasive Tunicate Didemnum vexillum. Proceedings of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences 30th Symposium. Diving for Science 2011. Dauphin Island, AL: AAUS. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-18.{{cite conference}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ GB Non-native species secretariat (2011-04-07). "Carpet sea squirt, Didemnum vexillum". Retrieved 2015-01-21.

[WoRMS-1] Gittenberger, Arjan (2014). "Didemnum vexillum Kott, 2002". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2015-01-21.

[2] Alaska Center for Conservation Science. "Guide to some tunicates of Alaska". Field Guides for Kachemak Bay.

[3] "Didemnum vexillum Kott, 2002". NBN Atlas.

[4] "Invasive Tunicates". Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

[5] "The carpet sea squirt (Didemnum vexillum)". The Marine Life Information Network.

[Alaska-6] "Invasive Species — Didemnum Tunicate (Didemnum vexillum)". Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 2015-01-22.

[Leeuw2011-7] Leeuw, T; Boss, ES; Slade, WH (2011). Pollock NW (ed.). Spectral Reflectance as a Method to Identify the Invasive Tunicate Didemnum vexillum. Proceedings of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences 30th Symposium. Diving for Science 2011. Dauphin Island, AL: AAUS. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-18.{{cite conference}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

[NNSS-8] GB Non-native species secretariat (2011-04-07). "Carpet sea squirt, Didemnum vexillum". Retrieved 2015-01-21.

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