Aplidium flavolineatum

(Millar, R. H. 1962)
Phylum Chordata
Class Ascidiacea
Order Aplousobranchia
Family Polyclinidae
  • Colonial ascidian with zooids completely embedded forming elaborate thick encrusting cushions (10 - 20 cm in diameter and easily up to 5 cm thick).
  • Branchial aperture, often adored with white pigment collar, are arranged around central common cloacal openings.
  • Colonies may be white, grey, red or orange with distinct white rings or not.
  • Surface without epifauna, sand or shell particles.
  • Sand particles and shell fragment may be present in varying density in the internal test.
  • Branchial sac with 10-12 rows of 12-17 stigmata, stomach with 20-30 folds (some may be incomplete).
  • Gonads in posterior-abdomen with male follicle posterior to the ovary.
  • Two to three embryos may be present in cloacal cavity.
  • Larval (trunk 0.5-0.6 mm long) have three stalked adhesive papillae alternating with four long finger-shaped ampullae.
© 2010 Shirley Parker-Nance 2010-09-20 00-29-13_0138.JPG © 2010 Shirley Parker-Nance 2010-10-03 23-11-36_0174.JPG © 2010 Shirley Parker-Nance 2010-10-03 23-12-02_0177.JPG

References
  • Millar, R. H. 1962 Further descriptions of South African ascidians56:113-221
  • Monniot, C.; Monniot, F.; Griffiths, C. and Schleyer, M. 2001 Ascidians of South Africa.108:1-141
  • Shenkar, N.; Gittenberger, A.; Ruis, M.; Rocha, R. M.; Swalla, B.; et al. 2017 Ascidiacea World Database. Atriolum marinense Kott, 2001. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=250052 on 2019-03-12