Home >  Fauna and flora >  Tunicate photo gallery >  Diplosoma spongiforme
Diplosoma spongiforme.

Diplosoma spongiforme

Jelly-synascidian

   Diplosoma spongiforme is an encrusting colonial ascidian which can cover rock surfaces of 20 to 30 cm in diameter. Several colonies can join together and can thus cover a surface of several square meters. Zooids are immersed in a common gelatinous test. Its thickness is irregular, up to 6 mm , giving to its surface an embossed aspect. The oral siphons of the zooids constitute tiny openings densely distributed all other the colony. Several zooids are gathered around a common, broad and slightly prominent atrial siphon, forming a system. Several systems occur in the colony making it resemble a sponge. The jelly-synascidian has a white translucent test with greenish or yellowish mottlings. The margin of the siphons may be white or bluish.
It is present from surface to 40 m deep in the Atlantic Ocean, the English channel, the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

Classification:

 Phylum Chordata, subphylum Tunicata, class Ascidiacea, order Aplousobranchia, family Didemnidae, Diplosoma spongiforme (Giard, 1872).

Page glossary:


Zooid: Individual, single animal.
Test: or tunic: thick layer secreted by the mantel containing cellulose and protecting the animal.
Oral siphon: Opening by which water is drawn in the ascidian.
Atrial siphon: Opening through which water is expelled.

Authors:


Photograph:  © Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat. Published by the author's permission.
Diplosoma spongiforme, Iles Glénan, South-Brittany, West of France. Depth 6 meters.
Text:  Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2006-2008.
Translation:  Anne Bay-Nouailhat © 2007-2008.


Home |  Site map |  Goodies |  Terms of use |  Support us |  Contact