New and little-known species of Didemnidae (Ascidiacea, Tunicata) from Australia (Part 3) Author Kott, Patricia text Journal of Natural History 2005 2005-06-30 39 26 2409 2479 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930500087077 journal article 10.1080/00222930500087077 1464-5262 5215680 Trididemnum areolatum ( Herdman, 1906 ) ( Figure 16H ) Didemnum areolatum Herdman 1906 , p 337 . Trididemnum areolatum : Kott 2001 , p 258 and synonymy. Distribution Previously recorded (see Kott 2001 ): Queensland (Hervey Bay–Lizard I.); Central Pacific (Kure and Line Is); French Polynesia ; New Caledonia ; Indian Ocean ( Sri Lanka ). New record: Northern Territory (Bynoe Harbour, QM G308746). Description The newly recorded specimen is a gelatinous, encrusting colony of even thickness. A superficial layer of bladder cells mixed with some black pigment particles and some sparse spicules overlies a single layer of spicules. Spicules also are in a layer lining the common cloacal cavities. The spicules are large (to 0.1 mm diameter) and have 13–15 stubby short conical to rounded rays in optical transverse section. Zooids have black squamous epithelium and a black endostylar pigment cap. In this specimen the gut is filled with large, muddy faecal pellets that obscure the zooids. Eight coils of the vas deferens surround the undivided testis. Remarks Differences from previously recorded specimens were not detected.