Halocynthia papillosa (Linnaeus, 1767)

Description

Halocynthia papillosa is a solitary ascidian which is generally 10 cm high but may reach 20 cm. The body is ovoïd, the red test is cartilaginous, rough with a granulous surface. The siphons are distant: the oral siphon is terminal and the atrial siphon is half-way down the body. Rigid bristles, used as sensitive elements, surround the siphons. The red sea-squirt can contract and close its siphons when disturbed. It lives attached to rocks, overhangs or among Posidonia, avoiding luminous areas, between 2 and 100 meters deep.

Distribution

Halocynthia papillosa is a Mediterranean species that may live in the surrounded Atlantic Ocean, particularly along the Portuguese coasts.

Classification

Source : World Register of Marine Species

Biota (Superdomain)
Animalia (Kingdom)
Chordata (Phylum)
Tunicata (Subphylum)
Ascidiacea (Class)
Stolidobranchia (Order)
Pyuridae (Family)
Halocynthia (Genus)
Halocynthia papillosa (Species)

Page glossary

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.

Authors

Text : Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2005 - 2021.

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

How to cite this page

Bay-Nouailhat A., January 2005, Description of Halocynthia papillosa, [On line] http://european-marine-life.org/32/halocynthia-papillosa.php, consulted on 2021 January 23.