Judy D'Amore
Tracking An Exotic Tunicate in Puget Sound, Washington
A research paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Sciencefor Teachers in Biology for Teachers. University of Washington
Abstract
Rope substrates suspended in six Puget Sound Marinas were monitored monthly over a six-month growing season for the presence of Ciona savignyi, an exotic tunicate first discovered in two separate parts of Puget Sound in 1998 and in a third in 1999. Its arrival in a new location was documented in this study. It was found to favor depths of 2 to 4 meters and is more common on shaded ropes than in full sunlight. Once fully established, it is easily the most conspicuous organism in the depth ranges that it prefers. Preliminary findings suggest it may be causing depressed population densities of other tunicate species in those places. Applications of this kind of science study for secondary school students in and out of the classroom are discussed.