Didemnum coralliforme Kott, 2004

Kott, Patricia, 2007, New and little-known species of Didemnidae (Ascidiacea, Tunicata) from Australia (part 4), Journal of Natural History 41 (17 - 20), pp. 1163-1211 : 1178

Didemnum coralliforme Kott, 2004

( Figure 8A )

Didemnum coralliforme Kott 2004a, p 748 ; 2004b, p 2490.

Distribution

Previously recorded (see Kott 2004a, 2004b): Western Australia (W. of Port Hedland); Northern Territory (Angler Reef, Meigs Reef). New records: Queensland (Great Barrier Reef: 16.705 ° S, 146.125 ° E, 34 m, QM G308861; 17.865 ° S, 146.645 ° E, 66 m, QM G308847).

Description

Newly recorded colonies have small zooids with eight coils of the vas deferens and characteristic spicules to 0.06 mm diameter, stellate, with seven to nine long almost rod-like arms in optical transverse section. Larvae, present in the basal test, are described for the first time. They have a long tail wound about three-quarters of the way around an unusually small, 0.3 mm long, larval trunk. Four long, cylindrical lateral ampullae are along each side of the usual three anteromedian adhesive organs.

Figures

Figure 8. Scanning electron micrographs. (A) Didemnum coralliforme (QM G308861); (B) Didemnum crescente (QM G308815); (C) Didemnum fragum (QM G308826); (D) Didemnum grande (QM G308867); (E) Didemnum granulatum (QM G308843); (F) Didemnum jedanense (QM G308846); (G) Didemnum lissoclinum (QM G308814); (H) Didemnum mantile (QM G308887).