PORT PHILLIP BAY


Ascidian 

Clavelina moluccensis (Sluiter, 1904)

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:
moluccensis

General Description

Colony of zooids joined only at the base. There are 3 dark blue spots in a row between the two openings (siphons). Near transparent pale blue with circular muscle bands visible. Zooids to 6 cm long.

Biology

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

Habitat

Rock walls, reefs and jetty piles, to depth of 12 m.

Reefs

Seagrass meadows

Sponge gardens

Distribution guide

Indo-Pacific area, including Australia.

Species Group

Ascidians

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

6 cm

Diet

Plankton or Particles

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in 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 moluccensis, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 31 Jan 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/10658

Text: creative commons cc by licence