A new record of Ascidiella scabra (Müller, 1776) (Ascidiacea, Phlebobranchia) in the southwestern Atlantic

Non-indigenous ascidians are transported across oceans in vessel-hull fouling communities, and regional traffic plays a role their secondary spread. We found the ascidian Ascidiella scabra (Müller, 1776) hull-fouling community of an oceanographic vessel confined to waters southwestern Atlantic Southern Oceans. The previously known distribution this species was restricted its native area (Mediterranean Sea northeastern Atlantic); presence may have been masked past by occurrence congener aspersa 1776).