Clavelina lepadiformis

Clavelina lepadiformis, common name the light-bulb sea squirt, is a colonial sea squirt native to the NE Atlantic Ocean.[1]

Clavelina lepadiformis
Light-bulb sea squirt colony
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Ascidiacea
Order:
Aplousobranchia
Family:
Clavelinidae
Genus:
Clavelina
Species:
C. lepadiformis
Binomial name
Clavelina lepadiformis
(Müller, 1776)
Synonyms
  • Ascidia lepadiformis Müller, 1776 (basionym)
  • Clavelina pumillo Milne Edwards, 1841
  • Clavelina rissoana Milne Edwards, 1841
  • Clavelina savigniana Milne Edwards, 1841

Distribution

This species is a common shallow-water ascidian in Great Britain and Ireland. It occurs from Norway along European coasts south to the Mediterranean.[2] In the Mediterranean the presence of cryptic species has been demonstrated.[3]

Description

The transparent tunic and visible yellow or white internal organs give this animal its common name.

References
  1. Sanamyan, K. (2015). Clavelina lepadiformis (Müller, 1776). In: Shenkar, N.; Gittenberger, A.; Lambert, G.; Rius, M.; Moreira Da Rocha, R.; Swalla, B.J.; Turon, X. (2015) Ascidiacea World Database. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2015-12-25
  2. Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2015). Clavelina lepadiformis (O F Müller, 1776). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland. Accessed on 2015-12-25
  3. Tarjuelo, I., D. Posada, K. Crandall, M. Pascual, X. Turon, (2001) Cryptic species of Clavelina (Ascidiacea) in two different habitats: harbours and rocky littoral zones in the northwestern Mediterranean Marine Biology, 139, 3, pp. 455-462.

Media related to Clavelina lepadiformis at Wikimedia Commons

Photos of Clavelina lepadiformis in the Sealife Collection


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