Observations on non-didemnid ascidians from Australian waters (1)
Author
Kott, Patricia
text
Journal of Natural History
2006
2006-04-26
40
3 - 4
169
234
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930600621601
journal article
10.1080/00222930600621601
1464-5262
5232431
Distaplia australiensis
Brewin, 1953
(
Figure 8E, F
)
Distaplia australiensis
Brewin 1953
, p 61
.
Kott 2003
, p 1619
and synonymy (part, not specimens from
Queensland
=
Distaplia turboensis
Kott 2004
, p 45
).
Distribution
Previously recorded (see
Kott 2003
and
D. turboensis
Kott, 2004
):
South Australia
(Spencer Gulf, Gulf St Vincent, Bass Strait, D’Entrecasteaux Channel, Huon Channel. New records:
South Australia
(Kangaroo I.,
4–7 m
, SAM E3294–5).
Description
Long cylindrical stalks each with a soft, rounded head surrounded by parallel double rows of zooids extending from the top of the stalk to a terminal common cloacal aperture. Zooids have the usual large atrial aperture opening directly into the vertical common cloacal canal between each row of zooids of the pair. The stomach wall has about 16 parallel longitudinal pleats. Gonads were not detected in the newly recorded colonies, although usually they are in a sac separated from the abdomen by a narrow constriction.
Remarks
Although the arrangement of the zooids in long vertical rows and the presence of the gonads in a posterior abdomen is similar to the tropical
Distaplia turboensis
, the present species is distinguished by its long cylindrical stalks and fewer stomach folds.