Pycnoclavella tabella 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

Pycnoclavella tabella Kott, 1990

( Figure 8B )

Pycnoclavella tabella Kott 1990a, p 77 .

Distribution

Previously recorded (see Kott 1990a): South Australia (Spencer Gulf); Victoria (Portsea). New records: South Australia (Kangaroo I., 10–12 m, SAM E3292 ) ; Tasmania (Tasman Peninsula, 15–17 m, SAM E3291 ) ; Victoria (Portsea, SAM E3290 ) . The species is usually in large aggregates on rocky walls and roofs of caves and overhanging ledges. This species has been recorded by scuba divers from relatively shallow waters.

Description

Specimens have the characteristic tangle of sandy, fragile, thin basal stolons, and narrow, often branching vertical stalks containing the long abdomina, also encased in thin, sandy test. On top of these vertical branches are the small spherical thoraces in thin, transparent, sand-free test, sometimes with a greenish oily appearance in life.

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).