Polysyncraton, : Kott, 2001

Kott, Patricia, 2005, New and little-known species of Didemnidae (Ascidiacea, Tunicata) from Australia (Part 3), Journal of Natural History 39 (26), pp. 2409-2479 : 2415-2416

Key to Polysyncraton

1 Systems separate, circular or polygonal each with central common cloacal aperture; spicules always stellate.................. 2

– Systems not separate; spicules not always stellate.......... 4

2 Separate systems in elevated lobes; spicules to 0.07 mm with 7–9 rays in optical transverse section............ P. galaxum Kott, 2004b

– Separate systems not in elevated lobes; spicules with more than 9 rays in optical transverse section.................... 3

3 Spicules to 0.1 mm diameter with 13–15 rays in optical transverse section.................... P. pavimentum Monniot, 1993

– Spicules to 0.08 mm diameter with 9–11 rays in optical transverse section....................... P. polysystema sp. nov.

4 Spicules all less than 0.05 mm ................ 5

– Spicules not all less than 0.05 mm diameter........... 10

5 Spicules only in a layer at surface and sometimes on base....... 6

– Spicules throughout colony................ 8

6 Spicules with 9–11 rays in optical transverse section.. P. alingulum Kott, 2004c

– Spicules with more than 11 rays in optical transverse section....... 7

7 Spicules with 17–19 rays in optical transverse section; four coils of the vas deferens.............. P. miniastrum Kott, 2004a

– Spicules with 15–17 rays in optical transverse section; three coils of the vas deferens................ P. textus Kott, 2004b

8 Spicules stellate with long, thick rays....... P. catillum Kott, 2004b

– Spicules with short conical, rounded, or truncated rays (sometimes globular).. 9

9 Spicule rays 9–11 in optical transverse section; colonies black; 10 coils of the vas deferens............... P. longitubis Kott, 2004b

– Spicules rays 11–13 in optical transverse section; colonies not black; 8 coils of the vas deferens............... P. luteum Kott, 2004a

10 Spicules burr-like or globular................ 11

– Spicules stellate.................... 12

11 Spicules burr-like, present throughout colony.... P. reticulum Kott, 2004b

– Spicules globular in thin plate at surface....... P. nivum Kott, 2004c

12 Spicules only in surface test................ 13

– Spicules throughout colony................ 16 13 Spicule rays long and spiky.......... P. turris Kott, 2004a

– Spicule rays not long and spiky............... 14

14 Spicule rays 11–17 in optical transverse section.... P. arvum Kott, 2004c

– Spicule rays 9–11 in optical transverse section........... 15

15 Spicule rays rounded............ P. linere Kott, 2004a

– Spicule rays conical and pointed........ P. montanum Kott, 2004b

16 Spicule rays 7–9 in optical transverse section........... 17

– Spicule rays 15–17 in optical transverse section. P. pseudomagnetae Kott, 2004b

17 Spicules to 0.1 mm diameter......... P. rostrum Kott, 2004b

– Spicules to 0.06 mm diameter......... P. peristroma Kott, 2004b