Polycarpa olitoria ( Sluiter, 1890 )

Kott, Patricia, 2006, Observations on non-didemnid ascidians from Australian waters (1), Journal of Natural History 40 (3 - 4), pp. 169-234 : 217-218

Polycarpa olitoria ( Sluiter, 1890)

Styela olitoria Sluiter 1890, p 341 .

Polycarpa olitoria Kott 1985, p 180 and synonymy.

Distribution

Previously recorded (see Kott 1985): Western Australia (Kendrew I., Shark Bay , Cape Jaubert); Victoria (Bass Strait); Queensland (Capricorn Group, Abbot Point, Twonsville, Cleveland Bay, Lloyd Bay, Cape Melville, Murdoch Point); Indonesia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka. New records: Queensland (15.495 ° S, 145.385 ° E, 25.6 m; 17.445 ° S, 146.205 ° E, 26 m; 17.605 ° S, 146.355 ° E, 39 m; 17.655 ° S, 146.225 ° E, 26.5 m; 18.035 ° S, 146.205 ° E, 18 m; 18.615 ° S, 146.645 ° E, 30.5 m) .

Description

Flabby translucent whitish test covered in shell fragments and adherent and semiembedded sand. Apertures close on anterior surface, often obscured by rough test although the siphons often are naked. Row of eight relatively long polycarps down middle of each side of the body. Tall, rather leaf-like endocarps in gut loop and long, finger-like anal lobes, the usual pointed spines are around and in the siphon linings. Newly preserved material is bright yellow, the colour especially conspicuous on the naked siphons.

Remarks

Only a single specimen was taken from each newly recorded location. Kott (1985) reported red-coloured specimens of this species, although relatively freshly preserved newly recorded specimens are bright yellow.