CLAVELINIDAE, Forbes & Hanley, 1848

Mead, A., Carlton, J. T., Griffiths, C. L. & Rius, M., 2011, Introduced and cryptogenic marine and estuarine species of South Africa, Journal of Natural History 45 (39 - 40), pp. 2463-2524 : 2503

Family CLAVELINIDAE

Clavelina lepadiformis (Müller, 1776) Introduced

This European ascidian has a characteristic transparent tunic that embeds the zooids. This species can be found in both Atlantic and Mediterranean waters ( Tarjuelo et al. 2001). The first record from South Africa was by Monniot et al. (2001) based on specimens from Port Elizabeth and Knysna on the southeast coast. Subsequently, this species has also been found in other locations along the South African coast (M. Rius, unpublished results). Colonies are often found attached to the undersides and sides of boats and jetties.