PORT PHILLIP BAY


Stalked Ascidian 

Sycozoa murrayi (Herdman, 1886)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

See below for information.

Sources:
Gowlett-Holmes, K. (2008) A field guide to the marine invertebrates of South Australia. Notomares, Australia.
Edgar, G. J. (2008) Australian marine life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. New Holland Publishers, Australia.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Tunicata
Class:
Ascidiacea
Order:
Aplousobranchia
Family:
Holozoidae
Genus:
Sycozoa
Species:
murrayi

General Description

A flattened colony of zooids on the end of a stalk. The zooids form paired rows along the side of the colony structure. Colour is usually orange. Colony up to 4 cm long.

Biology

These filter-feeding animals anchor themselves in sediment on or near reefs.

Habitat

In sediment near reef and seagrass areas, to depth of 10 m.

Reefs

Seagrass meadows

Soft substrates

Sponge gardens

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Ascidians

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

4 cm

Diet

Plankton or Particles

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Patullo, B.

Blair Patullo is Online Producer for marine projects at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Patullo, B., 2011, Stalked Ascidian, Sycozoa murrayi, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 22 Sep 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/10661

Text: creative commons cc by licence