PORT PHILLIP BAY


Brain Ascidian 

Sycozoa cerebriformis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1834)

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:
cerebriformis

General Description

A folded colony of vertical zooids in double rows. The siphons are positioned along the top edge of the twisted colony structure. Colour varies, including red, pink, orange and blue. Colony up to 15 cm across.

Biology

Colonies of this species start as small flattened fan shapes. As they grow and expand, the colonies fold and bend which results in the brain-like appearance.

Habitat

Reef areas including rock walls and jetty piles, to depth of 50 m.

Reefs

Sponge gardens

Distribution guide

Southern and eastern Australia.

Species Group

Ascidians

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

15 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, Brain Ascidian, Sycozoa cerebriformis, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 09 Oct 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/10660

Text: creative commons cc by licence