Pyrosoma godeauxi

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Tunicata > Thaliacea > Pyrosomatida > Family: Pyrosomatidae > Genus: Pyrosoma

Description

Semi-globular colony with soft, transparent test, 12 cm long by about 7 cm wide in a non-flattened state. A few widely spaced elongate processes protrude from the test, which are not spined as in Pyrosoma ovatum.

Distribution and habitat

Recorded from the northern Mozambique channel. No records from southern African seas but distribution probably does extend into this region via the Mozambique current. 

Derivation of name

Name after Professor J. Godeaux (University of Liège, Belgium) in acknowledgement of his contribution to the knowledge of pelagic tunicates (van Soest 1981).

Publications

• van Soest RWM. 1981. A monograph of the order Pyrosomatida (Tunicata, Thaliacea). Journal of Plankton Research 3(4): 603–631.

Text by Hamish Robertson