Stomozoa australiensis Kott, 1990

Kott, Patricia, 2006, Observations on non-didemnid ascidians from Australian waters (1), Journal of Natural History 40 (3 - 4), pp. 169-234 : 183-184

Stomozoa australiensis Kott, 1990

( Figure 8C )

Stomozoa australiensis Kott 1990a, p 157 .

Distribution

Previously recorded (see Kott 1990a): South Australia (Great Australian Bight). New records: South Australia (Kangaroo I., 4–8 m, SAM E3228 E3278 E3285 ) .

Description

Firm, cartilaginous, translucent irregularly branching stalks. Rounded heads on the terminal branches have thoraces of the semi-embedded zooids with their separately opening lobed apertures (surrounded by the characteristic dentate lobes) covered by transparent flexible test and projecting free like bubbles from the firmer test of the stalks. Zooids have a red thoracic wall when first preserved but subsequently are brownish yellow in preservative. The long oesophageal neck is very contracted in these specimens. A single large spherical larva is being incubated in the atrial cavity of specimens collected in March (SAM E3228).

Remarks

Specimens are as previously described.

Figures

Figure 8. In situ images of: (A) Pseudodiazona claviformis (SAM E3280); (B) Pycnoclavella tabella (SAM E3290); (C) Stomozoa australiensis (SAM E3285); (D) Sigillina exigua (SAM E3300, syntype); (E) Distaplia australiensis (SAM E3294); (F) Distaplia australiensis (SAM E3295); (G) Distaplia florida (SAM E3293); (H) Distaplia pallida (SAM E3273).