PORT PHILLIP BAY


Ascidian 

Clavelina australis (Herdman, 1899)

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:
Clavelinidae
Genus:
Clavelina
Species:
australis

General Description

Colony of zooids embedded in a matrix. There are 3 dark blue spots in a row through the two openings (siphons). Transparent with many tiny white spots. Colony to about 8 cm high, zooids to 3 cm long.

Biology

These filter-feeding animals are a colourful member of reefs and rock walls in Victorian waters.

Habitat

Rock walls and reef areas, to depth of 20 m.

Reefs

Seagrass meadows

Sponge gardens

Distribution guide

South-eastern Australia.

Species Group

Ascidians

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

8 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, Ascidian, Clavelina australis, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 27 Dec 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/10657

Text: creative commons cc by licence