Pyrosoma ovatum

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

Description

Globular or ovate colonies up to 5 cm long by 5 cm wide, containing randomly distributed zooids (individual animals) within a test matrix. The test bears dense, fairly elongate blunt-ended processes with short spines on them. Oral siphons of zooids extending into the test processes can be as long as 2 cm (van Soest 1981).

Distribution and habitat

Recorded from the mid-South Atlantic and from the seas off India (van Soest 1981) but probably occurs in the waters inbetween, including southern African waters. However, I have not come across any records from this region.

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