Ascidiacea (Tunicata) from deep waters of the continental shelf of Western Australia
Author
Kott, Patricia
text
Journal of Natural History
2008
2008-04-30
42
15 - 16
1103
1217
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930801935958
journal article
10.1080/00222930801935958
1464-5262
5219188
Cnemidocarpa radicosa
(
Herdman, 1882
)
Styela radicosa
Herdman 1882
, p. 163
.
Cnemidocarpa radicosa
:
Kott 1985
, p. 36
and synonymy.
Distribution
Previously recorded (see
Kott 1985
): Western Australia (Cockburn Sound); South Australia (Great Australian Bight,
St. Vincent
Gulf, Spencer Gulf); Tasmania (Bruny I., Port Davey, d’Entrecasteaux Channel): Victoria (Bass Strait, Phillip I., Cape Grant, Lake Entrance, Port Nelson, Portland, Port Phillip Bay); New South Wales (Port Jackson, Solitary Is.); Queensland (Tallebudgera). New record: Western Australia CSIRO SS10/05 (Bald I., Stn
39, 110 m
, 24.11.05, QM G328011).
The
new record confirms the range of this species from
Cockburn Sound
and south across the temperate
southern Australian
coast to the NSW/
Queensland
border.
It
is a common component of shallow water communities.
Previously
its greatest recorded depth was
50 m
.
Description
The specimen has the usual flaccid appearance characteristic of this species, with its tough leathery but smooth and flexible test with some deep longitudinal creases in the preserved specimen. It is mostly naked without sand or epibionts. The body wall is thickened posteriorly and the gut and gonads (two on the left and three on the right) are embedded deeply in it.