Clavelina lepadiformis (Müller, 1776)

Description

Clavelina lepadiformis is a colonial ascidian living in groups of 3 to 3OO zooids. They are elongated, cylindrical and up to 2 cm tall. The test is smooth and completely transparent so that the branchial sac is clearly visible. The endostyle, the dorsal axis, the margin of the oral and atrial siphons as well as the upper part of the pharynx are underlined by a thin white or yellowish line. The zooids are joined together by a short basal stolon that cling on rocks, seaweeds or piles.

Distribution

Clavelina lepadiformis is found from surface to 50 m deep in the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, the English Channel and in the Mediterranean Sea.

Classification

Source : World Register of Marine Species

Biota (Superdomain)
Animalia (Kingdom)
Chordata (Phylum)
Tunicata (Subphylum)
Ascidiacea (Class)
Aplousobranchia (Order)
Clavelinidae (Family)
Clavelina (Genus)
Clavelina lepadiformis (Species)

Page glossary

Zooid : individual, single animal.

Test : or tunic: thick layer secreted by the mantel containing cellulose and protecting the animal.

Oral siphon : opening by which water is drawn in the ascidian.

Atrial siphon : opening through which water is expelled.

Endostyle : groove through which food particles are moved up to the oesophagus.

Stolon : root-like element binding together the individuals of a colony.

Authors

Text : Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2005 - 2020.

Photos : © Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat. Published with his kind permission.
Websites and reference works : Consult bibliography

How to cite this page

Bay-Nouailhat A., September 2005, Description of Clavelina lepadiformis, [On line] http://european-marine-life.org/32/clavelina-lepadiformis.php, consulted on 2020 September 25.