ABOUT THE WEBSITE

The current version of Tunicarium features microscopic images of New England invasive species, their relatives of the the same Genus from the west coast that will provide anatomical and microscopic information about the biology of the invasive species. Several Massachusetts state organizations are conducting monitoring programs this summer that enlist the assistance of the public and Tunicarium will serve as an educational resource for biologists and conservationists.

The Massachusetts Marine Invasive Species Monitoring Program,  Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collective (MIMIC), is sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) - www.mass.gov/czm.  They provide a guide, the CZM Invasive Species Guide on their website - Invasives Guide. The CZM runs the Harbor Island Marine Invasive Species program through the US National Park Service that visits the islands during the summer.

On the North Shore, the Salem Sound Coastwatch - www.salemsound.org - is

surveying sites from Marblehead to Manchester-by-the-Sea. 

The Cape Cod Bay survey is being conducted by the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies - www.coastalstudies.org - monitoring Bays at Barnstable, Wellfleet, and Provincetown.  The Ocean sides of the Cape are being monitored by Three Bays Preservation - www.3bays.org - and The Association to Preserve Cape Cod - www.apcc.org. - surveying Buzzards Bay and Osterville's 3 Bays.

Other Programs:

    MERI - Maine Environmental Research Institute, Blue Hill, ME

    Wells Reserve at Laudholm, Wells, ME

Ascidians form one of the primary groups of invertebrate invasive species as a result of species globalization that increased dramatically during the 20th century, primarily across continents at the same latitudes in the northern hemisphere.  This globalization has continued at a steady pace into the 21st century and now extends to the corresponding latitidues in the southern hemisphere.   

INVERTEBRATE INVASIVE SPECIES

McMillan Wharf, Provincetown Marina and Ferry Landing, Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA.  Invasive species can be found below the low tide zone and on floating docks.