eastern cape scuba diving
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| Scientific name: |
Pseudodistoma africanum |
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| Common name: |
Toadstool ascidian |
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| Taxonomy |
| Phyulm |
Sub Phylum |
Class |
Sub Class |
Order |
Sub Order |
Family |
Sub Family |
Genus |
Species |
| Chordata |
Tunicata |
Ascidiacea |
Not Defined |
Enterogona |
Not Defined |
Pseudodistomidae |
Not Defined |
Pseudodistoma |
Pseudodistoma africanum |
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Short Description:
The lobes of the colonies are variable and generally consist of a short stalk
The stalk becomes gradually thinner towards the base of the colony. A single head containing the zooids is carried on a stalk. The anterior end of the stalk and the posterior end of the head have the same diameter.
The head may be long and narrow in diameter or more globular .The stalk is generally more than half the diameter of the head at any point. Colonies may be bright orange, yellow,cream or cream with the top of the heads peach in colour.The heads are clear of any sand particles . The stalks have fine sand particles present or just beneath it, giving the surface test a sandy appearance,
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Identification
features: |
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| Size: |
Colonies up to 20 cm in diameter,stalk 2 – 6 cm long and about 2 cm in diameter ,The head may be long and narrow (3 - 6cm by 1.5 cm in diameter) or more globular (3 cm long by 3 cm in diameter) |
| Behaviour: |
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| Diet: |
Filterfeeder |
| Distribution: |
Cape Town to East Londen |
| Depth: |
10-30m |
| Habitat: |
Rocky reefs |
| Reference: |
- Aplousobranch ascidians (Tunicata Ascidiacea) from southern Africa.
S. Parker-Nance. Ph.D. 2003.
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| Similar Species: |
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Database Statistics
(Click on the links for more information) |
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eastern cape scuba diving
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