Awesome Ascidians a Guide to the Sea Squirts of New Zealand Version 2, 2016

Home , Aplousobranchia, Ascidiacea, Ascidiella, Ascidiella aspersa, Asterocarpa, Botrylloides leachii

Mike Page Michelle Kelly

with Blayne Herr

about this guide

Sea squirts are amongst the more common marine invertebrates that inhabit our coasts, our harbours, and the depths of our oceans.

AWESOME ASCIDIANS is a fully illustrated e-guide to the sea squirts of New Zealand. It is designed for New Zealanders like you who live near the sea, dive and snorkel, explore our coasts, make a living from it, and for those who educate and are charged with kaitiakitanga, conservation and management of our marine realm. It is one in a series of electronic guides on New Zealand marine invertebrates that NIWA’s Coasts and Oceans centre is presently developing.

The e-guide starts with a simple introduction to living sea squirts, followed by a colour index, species index, detailed individual species pages, and finally, icon explanations and a glossary of terms. As new species are discovered and described, new species pages will be added and an updated version of this e-guide will be made available online.

Each sea squirt species page illustrates and describes features that enable you to differentiate the species from each other. Species are illustrated with high quality images of the animals in life. As far as possible, we have used characters that can be seen by eye or magnifying glass, and language that is non technical. Outlying island groups are shown on the maps as a two-letter code: Ke = Kermadec Islands; Ch = Chatham Islands; Bo = Bounty Islands; An = Antipodes Islands; Ak = Auckland Islands; Ca = Campbell Islands. Information is provided in descriptive text or quick reference icons that convey information without words. Icons are fully explained at the end of this document and a glossary explains unfamiliar terms.

Mike Page is New Zealand’s only professional sea squirt taxonomist; he has a working interest in taxonomy, systematics, chemical ecology and aquaculture.

For any ID advice on sea squirts you find, please email your photos to [email protected]

http://www.niwa.co.nz/coasts-and-oceans/marine-identification-guides-and-fact-sheets

Remember to check the websites for updated versions!

a typical species page layout

taxonomic name of species taxonomic authority person(s) who first described this species

species images inset images show variations and/or common name closeup detail of species body plan icon highlighting the basic shape, or a special characteristic, that defines a group of these organisms species classification life history icon see species index for highlighting arrangement geographic distribution

scale bar indicating relative size of organism in the main image

quick id icons highlighting shape, surface depth range detail, habitat, and common depth range environment around New Zealand scale of abundance

information details on external and internal distribution characters and section of coastline habitat where species is most commonly found

make notes of where you encountered this species and let us know if you find it at a new location

key taxonomic references it could also be ... some species are difficult to tell apart without more detailed information, so check the other species in the guide listed here to make sure that you have the correct species

Sea squirts (ascidians) are amongst the most common fouling animals in ports and harbours around the world. They settle and grow in great abundance on artificial substrates such as wharf piles, seawalls, ship hulls and aquaculture structures. While most native (endemic) species are found in relatively low numbers in intertidal and most subtidal environments around New Zealand, reefs at the entrance of harbours and estuaries with high tidal flow, and cave walls, often support a rich and diverse fauna.

Introduced (invasive) species are usually highly successful, invading in great abundance and often in densities that preclude other species. They have abundant, highly mobile larvae that settle and grow quickly, competing with other species for food and space. The potential consequences of this biology, for the shellfish aquaculture industry in particular, can be serious.

Sea squirts are animals that feed by filtering the water through their body via an inhalant and exhalent siphon. Some are solitary animals, and some live in groups (colonial), some are stalked, and some encrust the substrate. Individual animals are enclosed within a leathery or gelatinous test which can be translucent. Fertilisation may be internal or external with embryos brooded in colonial and some solitary species, followed by a very short- lived free-living larval stage before settlement.

Fish, flatworms, sea urchins and sea stars are the sea squirts’ primary predators, although, in Chile, Japan, Korea , Europe and parts of Aboriginal Australia, some sea squirts are eaten by humans!

Groups of small animals (zooids) are embedded in a gelatinous test as a colony. Zooids can be arranged in circular or linear systems, sharing common exhalent canals and apertures. Other types can have zooids opening independently or on stalks connected to a common basal test.

53 51 52 Corella eumyota Ciona intestinalis Ciona savigny

20 59 60 Diplosoma listerianum Molgula manhattensis Molgula mortenseni

15 30 31 Ascidiella aspersa Sycozoa sigillinoides Eudistoma circumvallatum

46 19 32 Pseudodistoma cereum Didemnum species complex Eudistoma elongatum

18 24 48 Didemnum vexillum Lissoclinum notti Pseudodistoma opacum

62 68 36 Pyura pachydermatina Styela canopus Aplidium phortax

43 47 37 Synoicum occidentalis Pseudodistoma novaezelandiae Aplidium powelli

27 65 66 Trididemnum shawi Asterocarpa humilis Cnemidocarpa bicornuta

64 70 47 Pyura species complex Styela plicata Pseudodistoma novaezelandiae

21 34 39 Diplosoma velatum Aplidium coronum Aplidium sp. (lemon)

14 17 16 Didemnum densum Didemnum sp. (orange peel) Didemnum lithostrotum

33 56 58 Aplidium benhami Botryllus schlosseri Botryllus tuberatus

40 42 35 Aplidium sp. (brain) Synoicum kuranui Aplidium knoxi

37 29 67 Aplidium powelli Hypsistozoa sp. (red cushion) Cnemidocarpa nisiotis

28 55 57 Hypsistozoa fasmeriana Botrylloides sp. Botryllus stewartensis

26 12 22 Lissoclinum sp. (violet) Clavelina sp. (bluebells) Leptoclinides marmoreus

54 63 41 Botrylloides leachii Pyura doppelgangera Polyclinum novaezelandiae

38 45 69 Aplidium scabellum Pseudodistoma aureum Styela clava

Family Clavelinidae Clavelina lepadiformis 11 Clavelina sp. (bluebells) 12 Euclavella claviformis 13

Family Didemnidae Didemnum densum 14 Didemnum jucundum 15 Didemnum lithostrotum 16 Didemnum sp. (orange peel) 17 Didemnum vexillum 18 Didemnum species complex 19 Diplosoma listerianum 20 Diplosoma velatum 21 Leptoclinides marmoreus 22 Leptoclinides novaezealandiae 23 Lissoclinum notti 24 Lissoclinum sp. (charcoal) 25 Lissoclinum sp. (violet) 26 Trididemnum shawi 27 Family Holozoidae Hypsistozoa fasmeriana 28 Hypsistozoa sp. (red cushion) 29 Sycozoa sigillinoides 30 Family Polycitoridae

Tunicata Eudistoma circumvallatum 31 Ascidiacea Chordata Eudistoma elongatum 32 CLASS ORDER Aplousobranchia PHYLUM Family Polyclinidae Aplidium benhami 33 SUBPHYLUM Aplidium coronum 34 Aplidium knoxi 35 Aplidium phortax 36 Aplidium powelli 37 Aplidium scabellum 38 Aplidium sp. (lemon) 39 Aplidium sp. (brain) 40 Polyclinum novaezelandiae 41 Synoicum kuranui 42 Synoicum occidentalis 43 Synoicum stewartense 44 Family Pseudodistomidae Pseudodistoma aureum 45 Pseudodistoma cereum 46 Pseudodistoma novaezelandiae 47 Pseudodistoma opacum 48 Family Pycnoclavellidae Pycnoclavella kottae 49

Family Ascidiidae Ascidiella aspersa 50 Family Cionidae Ciona intestinalis 51 Ciona savigny 52 Family Corellidae Phlebobranchia ORDER Corella eumyota 53

Family Botryllidae Botrylloides leachii 54 Botrylloides sp. 55 Botryllus schlosseri 56 Botryllus stewartensis 57 Botryllus tuberatus 58 Tunicata Ascidiacea Chordata Family Molgulidae CLASS Molgula manhattensis 59

PHYLUM Molgula mortenseni 60

SUBPHYLUM Family Pyuridae Microcosmus squamiger 61 Pyura pachydermatina 62 Pyura doppelgangera 63 Stolidobranchia ORDER Pyura species complex 64 Family Styelidae Asterocarpa humilis 65 Cnemidocarpa bicornuta 66 Cnemidocarpa nisiotis 67 Styela canopus 68 Stylela clava 69 Styela plicata 70

10 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Order Aplousobranchia Family Clavelinidae opooysurface morphology Clavelina lepadiformis

Oxford: 627. Hayward P.J., Ryland, J.S. Europe theBritishIsles amd Northwest (1947)Introduction. Clarendon Press, toprotozoans andarthropods. Themarine fauna of Millar,. 1. Scandinavia R.H.(1966) Tunicata. AscidiaceaMarine invertebrates of lightbulb sea squirt Pycnoclavella kottaePycnoclavella It couldalsobe………. Sea. the Mediterranean. Itisnow widespread throughoutAtlanticandNorth theNorth tobefromreported theShetlandIslands, Bergen inNorway, Biscay theBay and of This species is a recent introduction to the Nelson yacht marina. The native range is Harbour. Nelson to present at restricted moorings, floating of underside the Fouls yellow alightbulb withaglowing giving theappearance of filament. the transparent test. The endostyle and tentacles are pigmented either white or visiblethrough areclearly separately totheoutside. Inhalantgillsacandstomach joined by athincommonbasaltestandprotrudeasindividualheadsopening elongateColonies have multiple zooidsare adistinctive medusoid shapeinwhich substrate habitat

(Müller, 1776) 1 cm image: Mike Page 11 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Order Aplousobranchia Family Clavelinidae Clavelina Doak, W. dwellers: (1979)Cliff an undersea community. HodderandStoughton, Auckland. Stocker, L.J. (1985)An identification guidetosomecommon New Zealandascidians.: 74p. morphology bluebells sea squirt Pycnoclavella kottaePycnoclavella It couldalsobe………. the ThreeKingsIslands, SpiritsBay andthePoor KnightsIslands. environmentsThis undescribedspeciesisrelatively from commoninopendeepreef colouration isconcentrated alongtheendostyle. measure 20–30mminlengthwiththethorax 10mmlongand25 mm wide. Theblue zooidopensseparately tothewater.and therearenosystemsaseach Thezooids The colony is generally sky blue with a transparent test. The texture is gelatinous mat. basal a by connected zooids flask-shaped delicate of masses form Colonies sp. (bluebells) surface substrate

habitat 2 cm image: Mike Page 12 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Clavelinidae

morphology classification Euclavella claviformis Stocker, L.J. (1985) Anidentification guideto some common New Zealand ascidians, 74 p. Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea. New R.H.(1982)The marine faunaof Zealand Oceanographic Memoir, 85:114p. Kott, P. theQueenslandMuseum, 29:1–266. Memoirsof (1990)TheAustralian AscidiaceaII.Aplousobranchia. found on the east coast of Australia.found ontheeast coastof warm temperate waters from IslandstotheThreeKingsIslands. theBay Also of Colonies are found in very edges high energy and guts in clear habitats on the reef many agroup of pear-shapedmade upof follicles. Testessmooth-rimmed. Gonadsaresituatedinthegutloopposteriortostomach. approximately specimens. Siphonsareof contracted, preserved equallength,and zooids Individual gelatinous. and firm and wider than the abdomen especially in measure 3–7 mm with the thorax shorter is texture The test. translucent a through the red-brownof zooids open separately to the exterior and can be seen clearly reduced toawide, almostleatheryholdfast.Bothexhalent andinhalantapertures stalked heads or wide lobes.Colonies are made up of In exposed habitats stalks are surface

(Herdman, 1899) substrate habitat 0.5 cm images: Mike Page 13 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae

opooysurface morphology classification Didemnum densum Stocker, L.J. (1985) Anidentification guideto some common New Zealand ascidians, 74 p. Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea. New R.H.(1982)The marine faunaof Zealand Oceanographic Memoir, 85: 114p. Zealand, 79(1):104–113. Brewin, B.I. New Zealand.Part (1951)Ascidians of theHauraki Gulf. VI.Ascidians of Part II.Transactions theRoyal andProceedings of New Society of associated with sparse kelp beds and urchin barrens. associated withsparsekelp bedsandurchin gently slopingharbours. Itisacommonspecies throughout New Zeland, often habitatsfrom deepopenenvironments reef It occursinavariety tosheltered of up to0.9mminlength. have rounded sparseshort rays andarecrowded throughout thecolony. Zooidsare divided by the test, at times marked in white. polygonal Spicules depressions of approximately systems of 40 zooids aroundas a mat of a common cloacal aperture, This orange smalldiscsor colonialascidianisthinlyencrusting. Itoccursasagroup of substrate

(Nott, 1862) habitat 5 cm image: Mike Page 14 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae

opooysurface morphology classification Didemnum jucundum Kott, P. theQueensland,47(1):1–407. Museum (2001)TheAustralian ascidiaceaPart (3),Didemnidae. Memoirs 4:Aplousobranchia of Lissoclinum notti Lissoclinum It couldalsobe………. South Australia. fromrecorded Bluff.been to has Fiordland wasIt from described first and Western Typically bivalves, encrusts coral trees. solitaryascidiansand dead black Thisspecies exhalent apertures. cream-coloured interiorcanbeseenbelow thetranslucent surface andthrough brown the visible. chocolate Surfacelayer toblack; thetestiscoloureddark of in closelyspaced inhalant apertures, occasional common exhalent are apertures life. in inflated highly appear and thin are Colonies Texture filmy. soft, covered Test substrate

Kott, 2001 habitat 3 cm image: Mike Page 15 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae

morphology classification Didemnum lithostrotum Didemnum lithostrotum 121–137. Brewin, B.I. (1956)Ascidians from the Chatham IslandsandtheRise. Transactions theRoyal andProceedings of New Zealand,84(1): Societyof rounded rays inopticalcross-section andmeasure40–70 a layer nearthesurfaceandsubstratum. Calcareousspiculeshave eight leathery. Spicules occur throughout the colony, although are more concentrated in polygonal withacentralThe texture commoncloacalaperture. areas, is each Thetestisdividedintoirregular asbrachiopods. sessilespeciessuch often encrusting thisspeciesarepinktoorangeColonies of incolour, very and thin(1mmthick) from Fiordland, Stewart IslandandtheChathamRise. known is and Islands Chatham the from described first Didemnum lithostrotum was surface substrate

Brewin, 1956 habitat µ m indiameter. 10 cm image: Mike Page 16 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae

morphology classification Didemnum

Page, M.J. (2016)Colonial ascidiansfrom theFoveaux New Strait Zealand. regionof orange peel sea squirt 15 thoracic canalslinedwithzooids. Thespiculesaresmallandstellate, ranging from throughout the testformingalayer thatoverlays 0.1mmthick extensive primary test surfaceamicroscopic orange-peel appearance. Spiculesaredenselycrowded giving the colony apertures between stellate six-lobed branchial regularly-spaced, present are papillae Spicule-filled acrossdroopinglobes. mm 6 to encrusting when Colonies are cream in preservative and vary from in thickness between 1.5 mm There isnoapparentarrangement zooidsintosystems. of On vertical substrates thelobescanformdrooping tendrilsseveral centimetreslong. canals areobvious, radiating outfrom alongthelobes. thecommoncloacalapertures approximately commoncloacalapertures, terminal 1mmindiameter. Subdermal walls. When encrusting flat surfaces, colonies have numerous regular raised lobes with orange-peel surface. Lobatesheetsovergrow sponges andhydrozoans onvertical The bright orange this colonial species have a distinctive colonies of microscopic common elsewhere inNew Zealandharboursandembayments. Harbour,This specieshasbeenrecorded from Bluff butislikely tobe µ m to25 surface µ sp. peel) (orange m indiameter. substrate , inreview. History Natural Journal of habitat 10 cm images: Mike Page 17 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae

opooysurface morphology classification Didemnum vexillum

625–628. Kott, P. theUnitedKingdom , 82: (2002)Acomplex of didemnid ascidianfrom themarineBiological Association Whangamata, New Zealand. Journal of Kott, P. theQueensland,47(1):1–407. Museum (2001)TheAustralian ascidiaceaPart (3),Didemnidae. Memoirs 4:Aplousobranchia of carpet sea squirt another speciesinDidemnum species complex sponge oranencrusting It couldalsobe………. Pacificis widespreadthroughout AtlanticandNorth theNorth coasts. from Whangamata on theCoromandel butitisnative toAsiaand Wellingtonin present is and Nelson, and Lyttletonand washarbours. It described first linesandseacages.farm Thisspeciesiscommonthroughout theMarlborough Sounds Can be locally abundant, fouling boat hulls, the undersides of floating structures, marine thetestmakingitmoregelatinousthroughout than otherDidemnumspecies. mostof and a fine open canals network can of be seen below the surface. Spicules are sparse yet firm and coloured cream Commonexhalentgelatinous lobes to openingsareobvious tothetouch. attheendof yellow pale are colonies The mussels. and worms dripping tendrils, sometimesmeterslong. Coloniesovergrow algae, hydrozoans, tube like outgrowths themaincolony. canoftenariseoff Thesecanform extremely long thisspeciesformextensiveColonies of sheetsonverticalsurfaces. Cylindricalorfrond- genus anopaque appearance. spiculescangive calledspicules. many this Highabundance of structures speciesof Didemnumiscrowded mostspeciesof The testof withminutecalcitestar-shaped substrate

Kott, 2001 habitat 1 cm images: Mike Page 18 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae` Didemnum Kott, P. the QueenslandMuseum , 47(1):1–410. (2001)TheAustralian ascidiacea Part (3),Didemnidae. Memoirs 4:Aplousobranchia of encrusting spongesencrusting notti Lissoclinum Didemnum vexillum It couldalsobe………. include may complex the in Species similarity. physical their to due field the in distinguished A ‘speciescomplex’ closelyrelated speciesthatcannotbeeasily isagroup of New Zealand. lines, pilesaround floatingstructures, marinefarm sea cages andwharf of zooids toacommon water circulationsystem.Commonfouling boat hulls, undersides test. Thereareusuallycanalsorcavitiesbelow thetestthat connect the thesurface of usually small (< 2.0 mm) long and can be very difficult to remove from the surrounding centre, orthroughout, givingthecolony avery crisp, friableconsistency. Thezooidsare spicules. Thespiculescanbefound justinthesurface layer testswith agelatinous of organisms Test tothinencrustations. calcareous is opaque duetoaheavycoatingof Colonies canvary greatlyinshape from lobate overgrowing forms otherfouling spiculescangive many thisgenusabundance of anopaque appearance. speciesof of (Sluiter, 1900). They oftenvary by mostspecies onlythesmallest details. Thetestof morphology Didemnum iscrowded with minutecalcitestar-shaped called spicules. High structures Didemnum incanum(Herdman,1899), D. (Nott,1892) and maculatum species complex surface substrate D. lambitum habitat 2 cm images: Mike Page 1919 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae Diplosoma velatum , 48(27–28): 1653–1688. History Page, M., Willis, T., Handley, Natural two Fiordland,New S. new Zealand withadescription of (2014)The colonialascidian faunaof species. Journal of Kott, P. theQueenslandMuseum.,47(1): 1–410. (2001)TheAustralian ascidiaceaPt4,Didemnidae. Memoirsof morphology east coast of theSouthIsland,Australia, Westerneast coastof Australia and Victoria. Diplosoma velatum was first described from Australia and is known from the Fiordland, seen through thetest. About 8–10zooidsaregrouped intestconnectives withclearspaces, thesecanbe are cream. The test is soft and slimy and colonies collapse when removed from water. Crookedcollected from Fiordland, asattheheadof low-light Arm, conditionssuch The testisgenerally anopaqueorange colourincoloniesexposed tolight.Colonies connective testcanbeseeninsidethecolony through thecommoncloacalapertures. by lobes.zooidssupported Groups endsof to 10mmdiameterattheterminal Colonies form irregular lobed fleshy sheets with large common up cloacal apertures surface

Kott, 2001 substrate habitat main image: FloorAnthoni 5 cm images: Mike Page 20 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae

opooysurface morphology classification Diplosoma listerianum Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea. R.H.(1982)The marine faunaof Kott, P. theQueensland,47(1):1–410. Museum (2001)TheAustralian ascidiaceaPart (3),Didemnidae. Memoirs 4:Aplousobranchia of Botrylliodes leachii Botrylliodes It couldalsobe………. from Europe andhasspreadworldwide. species is found throughout New Zealand coasts and harbours. It was first described Encrusts a variety of submerged surfaces including shellfish, algae and barnacles. This test by hand,coloniesremoved from thesubstratum asaslimy film. Test is transparent withsmall(<2mm)zooids. Zooidsareeasilyremoved from the as white or grey spots densely crowded around large common exhalent apertures. Colony forms extensive individual zooids can be seen thin gelatinous sheets in which substrate

(Milne-Edwards, 1841) New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir , 85:1–117. habitat main image: FloorAnthoni 3 cm 21 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae

morphology classification Leptoclinides marmoreus Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea. R.H.(1982)The marine faunaof 121–137. New Zealand , 84(1): Brewin, B.I. theRoyal (1956)Ascidians from Societyof the Chatham IslandsandtheRise. Transactions andProceedings of Leptoclinides novaezelandiaeLeptoclinides It couldalsobe………. holdfasts. Widely distributed,beingmainlyfound inshallow subtidal reefsaround kelp beneath asoftgelatinous layer test. of to and touch difficult to remove from the substratum. Spicules are confined to a layer zooids. Itistough,leathery thetestisfreeof of approximately Much 0.5mmapart. Systemsareelongate 1mmindiameterand withcommoncloacalapertures touch. darker grey, blueandwhiteorbrown andwhite. Thetestisleatherybutsmoothto frequently having a rounded edge. It is light grey speckled in colour with streaks of compoundascidianwithamarbledappearance andanunevenAn encrusting surface, surface

New ZealandOceanographic Memoir,85:114 p. Brewin, 1956 substrate habitat 5 cm images: Mike Page 22 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae

morphology classification Leptoclinides novaezealandiae Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea. New R.H.(1982)The marine faunaof Zealand Oceanographic Memoir, 85: 114p. Brewin, B.I. New Zealand.Part (1958)Ascidians of theStewart XI.Ascidians of Island region.Transactions theRoyal of N.Z.,85(3):439–453. Societyof farms. Tasman Bay. otherascidiansandovergrows Itoftenencrusts sessilefauna on marine Commonly found inshelteredwaters in Stewart Island,Marborough Soundsand cavities. Therearethreetofour follicles the withfivevas deferens. coilsof intoposteriorabdominal and atrialsiphons, theatrialsiphondirectedposteriorly Leptoclinides marmoreus Leptoclinides It couldalsobe………. range insizefrom 20–70 threedifferenttypes, oftenwithirregular rays,Spicules arestellateandof and spicule-free, butopaquewith smalltestcells. sparsely andunevenly invested onthesurface. Thebasaltest below thezooidsis spicules and gelatinous but firm, is test The systems. elongate meandering form to Zooidsappear apertures. aroundconcentrated branchial inareticulatedpattern thetesthasadistinctive mottledappearanceThe surfaceof wherepigmentcellsare Colonies aregreenororange sheetsup to 4 mm thick. globularmassesorencrusting surface µ m. The zooids are 1.5 mm in length with long branchial m. Thezooidsare1.5mminlengthwithlongbranchial substrate

Brewin, 1958 habitat 3 cm image: AshleighWatts 23 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae

morphology classification Lissoclinum notti Zealand, 85(3):455–458. Brewin B.I. New Zealand.Part New (1958)Ascidiansof theHauraki Gulf. 12.Ascidiansof theRoyal Part Societyof 3.Transactions andProceedings of Didemnum spp. It couldalsobe………. common cloacalapertures. follicle, morecomplex burredspiculesandnospicule-freehalosaround the This species is distinguished from and harbours. Sunday Cove attheentrance toBreakseaSoundandiscommon inmostNZports in theHauraki Gulf. Sound,and ItisfoundCharles inFiordland,EmeliusArm, ocurr to known now is and region Strait Cook the from recorded first was species Common onshallow This pilesandaquaculturestructures. subtidalreefs, wharf sometimes purple. shaped ends. Test Colourinlifeisopaque creamorbrown, ispaperyandeasilytorn. in two layers; the colony, at the surface and at the base of and have distinctive burr- evenly distributedthroughout thecolony orontheapexlobes. Spiculesarefound of are notinmarkedsystems, buttherearerelatively large, commonexhalent apertures andfragile. thinandencrusting,Zooids <2mmthick Colonies arecharacteristically surface

Brewin, 1958 Lissoclinum Lissoclinum substrate sp. (violet) by having only one testis habitat 3 cm images: Mike Page 24 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae

morphology classification Lissoclinum Kott, P. (2001)TheAustralian Ascidiacea. Part theQueensland Museum, 47(1):1–410. 4,Didemnidae. Memoirs of Zealand, 85(3):455–458. Brewin, B.I. New Zealand.Part (1958)Ascidians of theHauraki Gulf. 12.Ascidians of Part 3. Transactions theRoyal andProceedings of New Society of Didemnum jucundum It couldalsobe………. and from Waterfall Cove, Sound. Charles only been recorded so far in Fiordland, from Nine Fathom Passage, Dusky Sound Colonies canbefound onsubtidalrock walls inhighcurrentareas. Thisspecies has larvae. and zooidsarenotobvious, buttheyellow inclusionsinthetestaredeveloping Commonclocalapertures meanderingandreticulatedpattern. test asanunderlying Thecanalsbetween the zooidsystemscanbeseenthroughtough tothetouch. the on rock walls. Thetestisbrown incolourwithmottlingandissmoothyet tocharcoal Colony thatovergrows formsathinencrustion andothersessilespecies brachiopods sp. (charcoal) surface substrate

habitat 5 cm images: Mike Page 25 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae

morphology classification Lissoclinum Lissoclinum sp.Lissoclinum (violet)isonly known pilesonTiwai from wharf point,Bluff. testis follicles. the common cloacal apertures, spicule morphologymorphology and numberof of club-shapedrays.short Thisspeciesisdistinguishedfrom nottiby Lissoclinum the test. They aresmall(15–30 scattered inthetestsurrounding thezooids, andmoderately concentrated inbasal Spicules are densely packed in a thin layer in the surface test, they are lightly invested adistinctive with spicules conferringtheapertures halo-like appearance. rims raised aboveThe cloacal aperture the colony surface by 1 mm are sparsely 1 mmindiameterarenumerousover anddistributedregularly the colony. apparent arrangement systems. Large approximately of common cloacal apertures areevenly distributedover apertures thecolonybranchial surface, showing no layer. coloniesaretancoloured, fadingtowhiteover Preserved time. Smallstellate inathinlayer spicule-freetestoverlaying adenselycrowdedin patches of spicule piles.ascidians andother fouling Thepigment is distributed unevenly taxaonwharf Vivid purpletorose-colouredcoloniesthatovergrow thinencrusting solitary surface sp. (violet) µ m indiameter)andburr-like with 13–15 subtlydivided, substrate habitat 3 cm images: Mike Page 26 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Didemnidae

morphology classification Trididemnum shawi , 48(27–28): 1653–1688. History Page, M.,Willis, T., Handley, Natural two Fiordland,New S. new Zealandwithadescriptionof (2014)Thecolonial ascidianfaunaof species. Journal of elsewhere. Itmay beendemictotheregion. recorded been not has and Fiordland from described first was Trididemnum shawi shaped spiculeswithseven conicalrays (30–75 twolayer shapes andsizes;star- Spiculesareof apertures. around zooidbranchial packed aroundregularly theoutsideedge andsparsespiculesconcentrated ina cells scattered randomly throughout the test. The texture is gelatinous with zooids from water. red pigment clustersof withcharacteristic Coloniesarepeach-coloured thelobes. Thecolonyup to5mmdiameterattheendof collapses onremoval hollow irregularly-shaped The speciesforms cushionswithcommoncloacal apertures delicate needle-like rays (15–40 surface substrate

Page, Willis&Handley, 2014 µ m). habitat µ m) and small fine spicules with spicules fine small and m) 5 cm images: Mike Page 27 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Holozoidae

morphology classification Hypsistozoa fasmeriana Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea. R.H.(1982)The marine faunaof New Zealand,76(2):87–131. Brewin, B.I. thePortobello (1946)Ascidians inthevicinityof MarineBiologicalStation,Otago Harbour. theRoyal Societyof Transactions andProceedings of Aplidium benhami It couldalsobe………. exposure. Thisspeciesiswidespreadthroughout New Zealand. with high tidal flow. Colonies can be harbours found open down in to structures 20 martificial depthon in areasand ofreefs moderate coastal shallow in common Most pinktoviolet. is usuallyfuchsia body. groups Coloniescanoftenoccurinpatchy 20–30cmindiameter. Colourinlife around numerous large exhalent apertures,systemslinearand scattered over the Zooidsareinparalleloften notvisible. systems Softandgelatinous tothetouch. individually tothesubstrate. Body isoftenbuttonormushroom-shaped. Stalksare Colony consists of a short fleshy stalk topped with amuch larger ovoid body, attached surface substrate

(Michaelsen, 1924) (Michaelsen, New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir , 85:1–117. habitat 5 cm 28 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Order Aplousobranchia Family Holozoidae Hypsistozoa morphology (4): 575–589. Brewin, budding in thecompoundascidian B.I. larval (1959) Anaccountof series 3,97(3):435–454. Brewin, B.I. (1956)The growth a vivaporous and development of compoundascidian, Hypsistoza fasmeriana It couldalsobe………. theentrance toPortand theoutersideof Pegasus, Stewart Island. Doubtful Sound(Hare’s Ears) This specieshasbeenrecordedontheoutercoastof not thesamespecies. is it that colonies,confirms habitat preferred and systems zooid the arrangement of This speciesiscloselyrelatedtoHypsistozoa fasmeriana. However, the thesizeof exposed surge areasonboulderfacesandwalls inrelatively shallow water. Thecoloniesarefound spaced,raised, commoncloacalapertures. inhighly regularly The test is gelatinous,thick. Zooids appear to be in circularbut systemsfirm. around Colonies formlarge brightredcushionsupto150mmindiameterand50 surface sp. (red cusion) sp. (red substrate Quarterly Journal of Microscopial Science,Hipsistozoa fasmeriana . Quarterly Journal series,100 3 of Quarterly Journal of Microscopial Science,Hipsistozoa fasmeriana. Quarterly Journal of habitat 5 cm image: Mike Page 29 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Holozoidae

morphology classification Sycozoa sigillinoides

Kott, P. (1990)TheAustralian Ascidiacea, Part 2,Aplousobranhia (1). lollipop sea squirt elsewhere include Antarcticaandthesubantarcticislands. from Whangarei, Auckland, NapierandtheChathamIslands. Published records This species has a wide geographic range within New Zealand. It has been recorded life translucent creamtowhite with whitedots. thecolony.connecting toasinglecommonexhalent atthetopof aperture Colourin through thetestaslineardoublerowsvisible aswhitedots, inhalantapertures of Elongate ovoid heads on flexible stalks. Texture soft, gelatinous. Zooids can be seen surface

Lesson, 1830 substrate Memoirs of the QueenslandMuseum, 29(1):1–226. Memoirs of habitat images: CrispinMiddleton 2 cm 30 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Polycitoridae

morphology classification Eudistoma elongatum Eudistoma elongatum Kott, P. (1990) TheAustralian Ascidiacea, Part 2,Aplousobranhia (1). Queensland. at Port Sydney Jackson, andhasnow beenrecordedfrom New SouthWales and Islands.and the Bay Reported from of Wellington. First described from Australia New ZealandatParengarenga, of the farnorth Hohoura andRanganu harbours racks, mangrove roots, Found in rocky shoreline andonshellsembeddedinmud. This speciesoccurslocallyinhighabundancesheltered bays, growing on oyster following springtolarger colonies. Colonies regressandover-winter assmall(c.10mm)creambuds, re-growing the the outside. Whenreproductive, thezooidsbecomeorange withdeveloping embryos. appear aslightbrown withtwo tiny openingseparately specks, each to apertures overall. Zooids firm touch, to gelatinousprocesses.wart-likeTest and side smooth is pendulous coloniestaperingtoasmoothstalk,sometimeswithshort Long cylindrical surface

(Herdman, 1886) Memoirs of the QueenslandMuseum , 29(1):1–226. Memoirs of substrate habitat main image: SeanHandley 6 cm 31 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Polycitoridae

morphology classification Eudistoma circumvallatum , 48 (27–28): 1653–1688. History Page, M., Willis, T., Handley, Natural two Fiordland,New S. new Zealand withadescription of (2014)The colonialascidian faunaof species. Journal of Institute, 76:87–131. Brewin, B.I. thePortobello (1946)Ascidians inthevicinityof MarineBiologicalStation,Otago Harbour. theNew Zealand Transactions andProceedings of Sycozoa sigilliniodes Pseudodistoma cereum It couldalsobe………. from toFiordland. theHauraki Gulf This species was first recorded from the Cook Strait region and is now known to occur Colonies can be found pools to deeper subtidal rock walls in intertidal and boulders. and exhalentthecolony. siphonsopeningdirectlytothe surface of the zooidscanbeseenthrough thetest.Zooidsdonotformsystems, withinhalant and usually occur in isolated groups. They are cream to light yellow and transparent; Species forms small gelatinous, button-shaped colonies, stalk, 10 mmhigh, on a short surface substrate

(Sluiter, 1900) habitat 1 cm images: Mike Page 32 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Order Aplousobranchia Family Polyclinidae Aplidium benhami morphology Millar R.H. (1982) The marine fauna of New Zealand: Ascidiacea. Millar R.H. (1982)Themarine faunaof New Zealand,76(2):87–131. Brewin, B.I. thePortobello (1946)Ascidians inthevicinityof MarineBiologicalStation,Otago Harbour. theRoyal Societyof Transactions andProceedings of Hypsistozoa fasmeriana It couldalsobe………. Fiordland. Cook Strait, Kaikoura, Portobello Peninsula, Chatham Islands, Stewart Island and andshallowintertidal subtidal reefs down to10m.Thisspeciesisfound around piles.and holdfastsinthesubtidal.Canbefound Locallyabundant on onwharf rocks, intertidal overgrowsLives ontheundersidesof bryozoans, seaweed fronds tobrilliant orange deep reddish crimson. in life, Colour flow. tidal high of areas in piles in theanimalslife. Larger, morelobatespecimenshave onwharf beenobserved inhalantsiphonshavecircular systems.adistinctive Rimsof whiteringthatisvisible star-shaped to in cauliflower-shaped zooids with containing stalked heads Colonies surface

(Brewin, 1946) New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir , 85:1–117. substrate habitat 6 cm image: Mike Page 33 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Polyclinidae

morphology classification Aplidium coronum Aplidium coronum , 48(27–28): 1653–1688. History Page, M.,Willis, T., Handley, Natural two Fiordland,New S. new Zealandwithadescriptionof (2014)Thecolonial ascidianfaunaof species. Journal of Bluff to Dunedin on the east coast of theSouthIsland. to Dunedin ontheeastcoastof Bluff from occur to known also is It Fiordland. from described wasfirst Aplidium coronum scattered throughout thetest. Aplidium phortax Aplidium knoxi It couldalsobe………. and transparent. Therearesmall tuniccellsmeasuring15 conicallobes. Thetestissoft,gelatinous attheendof common cloacalapertures and radiate out fromThe canals branch numerous large (5 mm diameter) terminal zooidsare The white. are thecolonies Arm, arranged large in parallel double rows common cloacal canals. side of on each as Crooked such fiords upper of shaded the reaches In light. to exposure on depend to appears colour The fleshy. towhitecolouredand This speciesformsmassive lobedcoloniesthatarepeach surface

Page, Willis&Handley, 2014 substrate µ m in maximum diameter m inmaximum habitat 5 cm images: Mike Page 34 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Polyclinidae

morphology classification Aplidium knoxi Stocker, L.J. (1985) Anidentification guidetosome commonNew Zealand ascidians.: 74 p. 121–137. Brewin, B.I. (1956)Ascidians from the Chatham IslandsandtheRise. Transactions theRoyal andProceedings of New Zealand,84(1): Societyof Aplidium coronum It couldalsobe………. from Kaikoura, BanksPeninsula Stewart IslandandBluff. recorded been has and Islands Chatham the in described first was Aplidium knoxi numerous testandgranular cells, andsomeincorporated sediment. distributed throughout the colony. The test is very soft, gelatinous and invested with with thin transparent raised rims. There are no apparent systems, zooids are evenly Aplidiumknoxi havePink coloniesof randomly scatteredcommoncloacal apertures surface

(Brewin, 1956) substrate habitat 5 cm images: Mike Page 35 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Polyclinidae

morphology classification Aplidium phortax Aplidium phortax Millar R.H. (1982) The marine fauna of New Zealand: Ascidiacea. Millar R.H. (1982)Themarine faunaof New Zealand,76(2):87–131. Brewin, B.I. thePortobello (1946)Ascidians inthevicinityof MarineBiologicalStation,Otago Harbour. theRoyal Societyof Transactions andProceedings of Aplidium powelli It couldalsobe………. harbours, Otago, ChathamIslands, Stewart IslandandFiordland. from Tauranga, Island,Marlborough Sounds, Wellington D’Urville and Lyttleton and harbours. Thisspeciesoccursthroughout New Zealand.Ithasbeenrecorded Very in ports, bays, piles and aquaculture structures commonspeciesfouling wharf colony. Colourinlifevaries from translucent cream,tolighttan,pink. exhalent areindistinct, butareoftensituatedontheapex lobesonthe apertures of rowed, systems, alongobvious attimesbranching subsurface canals. Common double- meandering form Zooids colonies. gelatinous fleshy, firm, spherical, Large surface

(Michaelson, 1924) (Michaelson, New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir , 85:1–117. substrate habitat 3 cm image: Mike Page 36 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Polyclinidae

morphology classification Aplidium powelli Millar R.H. (1982) The marine fauna of New Zealand: Ascidiacea. Millar R.H. (1982)Themarine faunaof Zealand, 85(3):45–458. Brewin B.I. New Zealand. Part New (1958)Ascidiansof theHauraki Gulf. 12.Ascidiansof theRoyal Part Societyof 3.Transactions andProceedings of Aplidium phortax It couldalsobe………. and hasnow beenrecordedfromCapetoKarikari North Peninsula. Gulf Hauraki the from decribed wasfirst species This Island. North the of coastline Most common on sheltered deep reefs down eastern to 30 m depth on the north test. Colourinlifeusuallylightpink,butcanalsobeyellow and translucent. visiblethrough zooidinhalantapertures theouter of pattern distinctive branched Easilydistinguishedbyto thetouch. themany commonexhalent andthe apertures firm yet Gelatinous high. cm 10 to up colonies multi-lobed fleshy, large, in Grows surface

(Brewin, 1958) substrate New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir , 85:1–117. habitat 8 cm image: Mike Page 37 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Polyclinidae

opooysurface morphology classification Aplidium scabellum Aplidium scabellum Millar R.H. (1982) The marine fauna of New Zealand: Ascidiacea. Millar R.H. (1982)Themarine faunaof isk Forening iKobenhavn, 77:263–434. W.Michaelsen fraDansknaturhistor- Meddelelser von Inseln. Videnskabelige (1924) AscidiaeKrikobranchiae Nueseelandden Chatham-unddenAuckland- Botryllus stewartensis Botryllus It couldalsobe………. Hauraki Gulf, Chatham Island,Stewart Island,andFiordland. recorded from LittleBarrierIsland.Itisnow known tooccurat Cape Karikari, inthe itscryptichabitatinthesand.Thisspecieswasoften overlooked becauseof originally is but reefs, between rocky seafloor sandy the on common relatively is species This wormcasesthatprotrudebetweenassociated withpolychaete thecolony heads. common exhalent are visible in the colony apertures in life. Colonies are often heads lessso, revealing dullorange zooidsbeneaththesurface. Nosystemsor mound a large in heads approximately the 60mmhigh.Thetestisheavilyinvested withsand;thetopsof flat-topped packed closely of composed are Colonies substrate

(Michaelsen, 1924) (Michaelsen, habitat New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir , 85:1–117. 3 cm image: Mike Page 38 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Order Aplousobranchia Family Polyclinidae Aplidium morphology Stocker, L.J. (1985)An identificationguidetosomecommon New Zealandascidians, 74 p. from thePoor theThree KingsIslands, SpiritsBay sideof andtheeastern Knights. Found incaves andonverticalwalls wherethereisgreatwater movement. Recorded hassixto sevenrows folds. stigmata.Thestomach of by issurmounted atrial aperture asimpleorsplitatrialtongue. Pharynxhas16–18 hassixlobesand the aperture thetotallength.Thebranchial the post-abdomenhalf are upto7mmlongandtypically, thethorax alittlelonger thantheabdomen, and circular around large sometimestear-drop Zooids shapedcommoncloacal apertures. or elongate irregularly are Systems gelatinous. and firm is test yellow.The lemon A colonial species that grows as a cushion or plate-like mat. The colour is a uniform sp. (lemon) surface substrate habitat 3 cm images: Mike Page 39 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Order Aplousobranchia Family Polyclinidae Aplidium morphology Stocker, L.J. (1985) Anidentification guidetosome commonNew Zealand ascidians, 74 p. peruvianum Sanamyan 2004. &Schories, IslandtoWellington. theNorth the eastcoastof Itmay becloselyrelatedtoAplidium This speciesiscommononshallow subtidalreefsfrom theThree KingsIslandsdown Zooids up to 15 mm are highly contractile and often tangled together within the test. groove. colony Thecentral bulkof isagelatinous functionalzooids. massdevoid of areproduced siphonsurroundedzooids. Commoncloacalapertures intoashort by a comprisingon averagesystems areupto7mmindiameterand10apart 10–11 Circular touch. the to gelatinous firmly is animal the and cartilaginous feels test The very whitewithpinkorreddepressions. Pale orange colonieshave alsobeenseen. looks distinctly likeA massive a brain. It is to hemispherical compound ascidian which sp. (brain) surface substrate habitat 7 cm images: Mike Page 40 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Polyclinidae

opooysurface morphology classification Polyclinum novaezelandiae 439–453. New Zealand , 85(3): Brewin, B.I. New theRoyal Zealand.Part (1958)Ascidians of theStewart Societyof 11.Ascidians of Islandregion.Transactions of Aplidium scabellum It couldalsobe………. Harbour. New ZealandatKarikari of Peninsula,in thefarnorth Cape, North andWhangaroa substrata. This species was artificial firstand recorded fromnatural Foveauxon Strait.growing It environments is nowsubtidal knownsandy tosheltered, occur in Found gray tolilac-gray; thecommonsiphonsisaniridescentblue. theinsideof surface islightlycoatedwithsandandtheinsidesoftgelatinous. Colourinlifeis common exhalent siphons interspersed with small but obvious The inhalant apertures. Distinctive, oftenlarge cushion-shapedcolonieswithnumerous raised turret-shaped substrate habitat

Brewin, 1958 3 cm image: Mike Page 41 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Order Aplousobranchia Family Polyclinidae Synoicum kuranui Synoicum kuranui morphology Zealand, 78(2–3): 354–362. Brewin, B.I. New Zealand.Part (1950)Ascidians of GreatBarrierIsland. 5.Ascidians from theEastCoastof Hypsistozoa fasmeriana It couldalsobe………. now known fromCape, North Whangaroa Harbour, Whangarei andFiordland. is It Island. Barrier Great from recorded first was species This m. 40 flow, to down Locally abundantonlow sandy deepreefsandinshelteredharbourswithhightidal sausages upto1.2mlong. flowtidal high may colonies exhalentcommon of growareas In apertures. long into times overlain withsand.Uptoeightzooidsarearranged incircularsystemsaround uptoadozencolonies. Coloniesaresmoothand gelatinous,clusters of however at Mushroom tobutton-shapedcolonieswithoutanobvious stalk,commonlyoccursin surface

Brewin, 1950 substrate habitat Transactions of the Royal Society of New theRoyal Societyof Transactions of 1 cm image: Mike Page 42 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Polyclinidae

morphology classification Synoicum occidentalis Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea. R.H.(1982) Themarinefaunaof to occur off Kaikourato occuroff andiscommoninFiordland. was first found in benthic trawls on the west coast the of South Island. It is now known habitats. Also known from benthictrawls on the shelf-break to 300 m.This species Infrequently found over-growing coralline paintonrock walls orshallow subtidal yellowlife patchy orange, translucent. test. Commonexhalent attimesnotvisibleinsenescentcolonies.. Colourin apertures incorporated inthetest.Zooidscircularsystemsattimesvisibleunderopaque sediment no Gelatinous, base. the at fused cushions several or cushion flat Smooth surface substrate

Millar, 1982 New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir,85:1–117. habitat 4 cm image: Mike Page 43 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Polyclinidae

morphology classification Synoicum stewartense , 48(27-28): 1653-1688. History Page, M., Willis, T., Handley, Natural two Fiordland,New S. new Zealand withadescription of (2014)The colonialascidian faunaof species. Journal of Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea.New R.H.(1982) Themarinefaunaof ZealandOceanographic Memoir, 85,114p. Botryllus stewartense Botryllus It couldalsobe………. in Occurs fiords. and coast exposed Fiordland, Stewart IslandandontheChathamRise. moderately in walls reef, rocky on Found pigmented redwhenfixed in formalin. the posterior the of half colony. The test is firm but gelatinous and the zooids heavily colony headsmay have two systems. Sandinvests the basaltest and sparsely invests 15–20 zooids around a centralsystem of raised Some common cloacal aperture. chalice- blue bright flat-topped, head generally numerous has a circular shaped heads that taper to a common basal mat. Each of composed are colonies The thick. mm 20 and across mm 100 to up are Colonies algae. red turfing and bryozoans thecoloniesembedded among A smallcolonialascidian,oftenfound withheadsof surface

(Michaelsen, 1924) (Michaelsen, substrate habitat 20 cm images: Mike Page 44 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Order Aplousobranchia Family Pseudodistomidae Pseudodistoma aureum Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea. R.H.(1982)The marine faunaof (3): 577–580. New Zealand , 84 Brewin, theRoyal B.I. New Zealand.Part Societyof (1957)Ascidians of Transactions andProceedings X.Ascidians from of Auckland. North Stocker, L.J. (1985) morphology subtidal zone on the east coast of Northern New ZealandandKaikoura. Northern subtidal zoneontheeastcoastof shallow the in habitats urchin-grazed and flats rock open on found commonly is It arrangement zooids. Thetexture of and isvery firm gelatinous. common cloacaandatrialsiphonsopendirectlytothesurface. Thereisnosystematic test cells scattered over the surface. Openings are difficult to There observe. are no light the colony numerous distinctive has a surface sheen. This is because of white test issemi-transparent withabrown, yellow orpurplecolouration butincertain This speciesgrows convoluted folding. asathick platewithvarying degreesof The An identification guide to some common New Zealand ascidians, 74 p An identification surface

(Brewin, 1957) New ZealandOceanographic Memoir,85,114 p. substrate habitat 1.5 cm image: Mike Page 45 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Polycitoridae

morphology classification Pseudodistoma cereum torisk Forening i Kobenhavn, 77:263–434. W.Michaelsen von Inseln.Videnskabelige (1924)Ascidiae Krikobranchiae Nueseeland denChatham- unddenAuckland- Meddelelser fra Dansknaturhis- 439–453. Brewin, B.I. New Zealand.Part (1958)Ascidians of theStewart 11.Ascidians of Island region.Transactions theRoyal of New Zealand,85(3): Societyof Aplidium phortax It couldalsobe………. Islands down Cape, andFiordland. theeastcoasttoNorth Bluff Kings Three the from occur to known now is It Island. Stewart from described first from theHare’s Ears, DuskySoundand Caswell Sound.Pseudodistomacereumwas This speciesismostcommonlyfound from 10to20minFiordlandandisrecorded pink. zooid areapparentontheapexsmalllumps. Colourinlifecream,yellow of orfaint ontheexterior.the touch Zooidsopenseparately totheexterior; openingsfor each this from other similar looking species. and cartilaginous, but soft to Fingers are stiff may benumerous insomecolonies givingthemanopaqueappearance, distinguishing energy high in but high, environments they may cushions. Small test cells flatten and become more encrusting mm 50 to up fingers rounded fat form usually Colonies surface

Michaelson, 1924 Michaelson, substrate habitat 3 cm images: Mike Page 46 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Pseudodistomidae

morphology classification Pseudodistoma novaezelandiae Zealand, 78(2–3): 354–362. Brewin, B.I. New Zealand.Part (1950)Ascidians of GreatBarrierIsland. 5.Ascidians from theEastCoastof Aplidium benhami It couldalsobe………. Cape, Poor KnightsIslands, Whangarei Heads, LeighandtheHauraki Gulf. North Islands, Kermadec the at occurs It Island. Barrier Great from recorded first in exposed shallow coastalreefs, generally down to10mdepth.Thisspecieswas groupsColonies occurinpatchy (20–30cmdiameter)on coralline paint.Very common orange.bright peach and exhalent individual zooids open directly on surface. Colour in life siphons of Stalked colonialascidianwithanovoid tosphericalhead,testclear, nosand.Inhalant surface substrate

(Brewin, 1950) habitat Transactions of the Royal Society of New theRoyal Societyof Transactions of 2 cm image: Mike Page 47 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Pseudodistomidae

morphology classification Pseudodistoma opacum Zealand, 78(2–3): 354–362. Brewin, B.I. New Zealand.Part (1950)Ascidians of GreatBarrierIsland. 5.Ascidians from theEastCoastof Pseudodistoma cereum It couldalsobe………. Island. ItisknownAuckland. andwest tooccuronthenorth coastsof red algae growing on the surface. This species was first recorded from Great Barrier boulders. Coloniescanhave intertidal epiphyticTypically theundersidesof encrusts opening ontothesurface. Colourinlifetan. thatgives apertures zooids, yellow membrane with lobes. semi-transparent flat-topped Test small basal to rise ofaspreading up made mats irregular fleshy Thick surface

(Brewin, 1950) substrate habitat Transactions of the Royal Society of New theRoyal Societyof Transactions of main image: Richard Taylormain image: Richard insetimage: BrentCopp 10 cm 48 Class Ascidiacea Order Aplousobranchia Family Pycnoclavellidae

opooysurface morphology classification Pycnoclavella kottae Millar, R.H.(1960)Ascidiacea. Clavelina lepadiformis Clavelina It couldalsobe………. Cape. and North where itcanbelocallyabundant.Thisspeciesisfound around ThreeKingsIslands Found occasionallyonwalls highexposure, overhangs andtheedge inareasof of head. Colourinlifeisgoldandslightlytranslucent onthesiphons. opening halfway down and an atrial (exhalent) the colony opening at the top of a narrow basalmat.Stalksarelongandslender; headshave an oral (inhalant) A distinctive colonialascidianthathasnumerous pod-like heads arisingfrom Discovery Reports, 30:1–160. substrate

Millar, 1960 habitat 10 cm images: SeanHandley 49 Class Ascidiacea Order Phlebobranchia Family Ascidiidae

opooysurface morphology classification Ascidiella aspersa Ascidiella aspersa

Millar R.H. (1982) The marine fauna of New Zealand: Ascidiacea. Millar R.H. (1982)Themarine faunaof New Zealand,76(2):87–131. Brewin, B.I. thePortobello (1946)Ascidians inthevicinityof MarineBiologicalStation,Otago Harbour. theRoyal Societyof Transactions andProceedings of european sea squirt Corella eumyota It couldalsobe………. HemisphereandAustralasia. widespread intheNorthern Atlantic,fromnative theMediterranean SeatoNorway. tothenortheastern Itisnow theSouthIsland.Itis coastsof andsouthern in New Zealand around thenorthern theSouthIsland.Thisspeciesoccurs in bothmarineandestuarineenvironments of This speciesisfound onshallow pilesandsubmerged structures, subtidalrock, wharf smooth. covered in small bumps. The gill slits are elongate, and not folded, the tentacles are exhalent siphon one third to halfway down one side. Test isthin,translucent, and Sack-like ovoid body theanimal,andan withaninhalantsiphonatthetopof

(Müller, 1776) substrate New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir , 85:1–117. habitat main image: DennisGordoninsetimage: Gittenberger Arjan 2 cm 50 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Order Phlebobranchia Family Cionidae Ciona intestinalis morphology Zealand, 78(2–3): 344–353. New Brewin theRoyal B.I. New Zealand. Part (1950)Ascidiansof Societyof Transactions IV. andProceedings of Christchurch. Ascidians inthevicinityof vase sea squirt Ciona savigny It couldalsobe………. bays. Ithasaglobaldistributionandthenatural range thisspeciesisuncertain. of This species is widespread throughout New Zealand ports, harbours and sheltered pilesandpontoons.Often found in high abundance on aquaculturestructures,wharf wall. thebody sideof are smooth.Sixbroadbands found longitudinalmuscle oneach yellow pigment spotsonsiphonrim.Gillslitsareelongate, notfolded, andtentacles gelatinous, transparent, withlightgreenpigmentattheanteriorend,and lemon flexible, soft, is Testsiphons. spaced closely twotowards tapering elongate,Body hasorangesavigny pigmentspotsonthesiphonrim. Ciona Two Cionaareknown toco-occurinNew speciesof andharbours. Zealandports intestinalis haslemonyellow pigmentspotsonthesiphonrimwhile Ciona substrate

(Linnaeus, 1767) habitat 4 cm image: Keith Hiscock 51 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Class Phlebobranchia Family Cionidae Ciona savigny Ciona savigny morphology Zoology of theChallenger Expedition, 6(17): 1–296. Zoology of Herdman, W.A. (1882) Report ontheTunicata collectedduring thevoyage H.M.S. Challenger of during the years 1873–1876,Part 1,Ascidiae simplices. Zealand, 78(2–3):344–353. New Brewin theRoyal B.I. New Zealand. Part (1950)Ascidiansof Societyof Transactions IV. andProceedings of Christchurch. Ascidians inthevicinityof pacific av se sea squirt Ciona intestinalis It couldalsobe………. appears tohave aglobaldistribution. around New isasisterspeciestoC. Zealand.Cionasavigny intestinalisandalso pilesandpontoons Often found wharf in highabundanceonaquaculturestructures, thebody sideof wall. bandsarefoundmuscle oneach Gill slitsareelongate, notfolded, andtentaclesaresmooth.Sixbroad longitudinal body wall. the on flecks pigment white yellowor and rim, siphon on spots pigment gelatinous, transparent, with light green pigment at the anterior end, and orange flexible, soft, is Testsiphons. spaced closely twotowards tapering elongate,Body hasorangesavigny pigmentspotsonthesiphonrim. Ciona intestinalishaslemonyellow pigmentspotsonthesiphonrimwhileCiona Two Cionaareknown toco-occurinNew speciesof andharbours. Zealandports

Herdman, 1882 substrate habitat 4 cm image: ChrisWoods 52 Class Ascidiacea Order Phlebobranchia Family Corellidae

opooysurface morphology classification Corella eumyota

Annals of theSouth AfricanMuseum,46(7):113–221. Millar, SouthAfrican ascidians. Annalsof descriptions of R.H.(1962)Further jelly sea squirt Molgula spp. Ascidiella aspersa It couldalsobe………. Atlantic. the North species commontoSubantarcticandAntarcticregions thathasspread throughout is widespreadthroughout New Hemisphere Zealand.Itisatemperate Southern piles, ropeswharf andothersubmerged around structures New Zealand. Thisspecies Prefers calm protected waters, found in shallow to subtidal environments attached inhalant siphons. gonads oftenvisiblethroughinlife, thetest.Colourless butsomehave brightpeach folded, and oral tentacles smooth. Test transparent, Gut and smooth, cartilaginous. exhalent the way siphon⅓of downthe body. thesideof Gill slits spiral, gillsnot side, individualsareoftenfound ingroups. animal,smaller Inhalantsiphonattopof Body oval toelongate, tothesubstrate onright laterally compressed,attached

Traustedt, 1882 substrate habitat main image: JudithOakley insetimage: Natural HistoryMuseum,UK 3 cm 53 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Botryllidae

morphology classification Botrylloides leachii Botrylloides Millar R.H. (1982) The marine fauna of New Zealand: Ascidiacea. Millar R.H. (1982)Themarine faunaof New Zealand,76(2):87–131. Brewin B.I. thePortobello (1946)Ascidiansinthevicinity of MarineBiological Station,OtagoHarbour. theRoyal Societyof Transactions andProceedings of South Australia andNew Zealand. from the Red Sea to the tropical Indo-West Pacific down to the temperate waters of AtlanticOceantotheMediterranean, and appears tobefrom thenortheastern species iscommonandwidespreadthroughout New Zealand.Thenative range throughout New Zealand. May have been introduced by sailing ships. This early piles, moorings, andisveryharbours jettiesandwharf Encrusts commoninports thecolony. thetestbetween thezooidsystemsandborderof surface of test istransparent, softandgelatinous. Smallgranular bodiesarevisiblenearthe highly variable, ranging from typically purple to green to orange and cream. The Systemsconnecttonumerousapertures. commonexhalent Colourinlifeis apertures. lightpigmentationaround zooidsareusuallyobvious theinhalant becauseof of overgrowing otherspecies, givingcoloniesalobateappearance. Parallel systems and up to 20 cm diameter,Colonies are encrusting, about 3–5 mm thick often surface

(Savigny, 1816) New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir , 85:1–117. substrate habitat 5 cm images: Mike Page 54 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Styelidae

morphology classification Botrylloides Botrylloides , 48(27–28): 1653–1688. History Page, M.,Willis, T., Handley, Natural two Fiordland,New S. new Zealandwithadescriptionof (2014)Thecolonial ascidianfaunaof species. Journal of first recordedfrom Fiordland. rings’over thesurface. thewhite‘branchial Thespecieswasrecognisable becauseof the whitecolourvariant pilesinBluff. isfound sp. onwharf Botrylloides iseasily This speciesismostcommonlyfound from 5to25monwalls inFiordlandand diameter randomly distributed throughout the colonies. in mm approximately 5 apertures, cloacal common numerous are There test. fleshy the creamcoloniesareopaque. Doublerows zooidsaretightlypacked inasoft of visible through sacsclearly coloured coloniesistransparent andthezooidbranchial Thetestinlavender- apertures. to creamwithpurplepigmentaround thebranchial Cushion-shaped coloniesvary incolourfrom apertures lavender withwhitebranchial surface sp.

(Page, Willis&Handley, 2014) substrate habitat 1.5 cm images: Mike Page 55 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Molgulidae

morphology classification Botryllus schlosseri Botryllus

Kott P. the QueenslandMuseum,23,440 p. Memoirs (1985) TheAustralian andStolidobranchia. of Ascidiacea1.Phlebobranchia golden star sea squirt Botrylloides leachii Botrylloides It couldalsobe………. by sailingships. early Australia whereitisthoughttohave coastsof beenintroducedwestern andsouthern Mexico, SouthChinaSeaand Africa. Thisspeciesisrecordedfrom eastern, America. It is also known North fromthe Western the coast of of Atlanticalong parts Norway andasfar southastheMediterranean. Itisalsoknown tothenorth from Great Britain, Ireland and Europe,is common around the coast of Faroe Islands and introduced by sailingships. Thisspecies iswidespread around early New Zealand.It is very and harbours throughout common in ports New Zealand. May have been moorings, piles, mooring pontoons,Encrusts jetties, and and wharf undersides of colonies canvary widelyincolour, butareusuallyorange, greenorpurple. distinguished by circular zooid systems around common exhalent In life, apertures. , butcanbe leachii oftenco-occurring withBotrylloides Colonies 3mmthick, surface

(Pallas, 1766) substrate habitat 1 cm inset image: ChrisWoods 56 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Molgulidae

morphology classification Botryllus stewartensisBotryllus Kott P. the QueenslandMuseum,23,440 p. Memoirs (1985) TheAustralian andStolidobranchia. of Ascidiacea1.Phlebobranchia NZ,85(3):439–453. Brewin B.I. New theRoyal Zealand. Part (1958)Ascidiansof theStewart Societyof 11.Ascidiansof Island region. Transactions of Botrylloides leachii Botrylloides It couldalsobe………. Australia. Foveaux Strait and Fiordland. It is also known and Western from eastern southern, Zealand. Thisspecieshasbeenrecordedfrom Lyttleton Harbour, Stewart Island,and Found occasionally on reefs in sheltered coves and on walls in fiords in southern New confined totheoutertest. life issandy violet,orcream.Thetestisdelicateandsoft,whenpresent,sediment Morphology and colour in life vary with sediment levels and exposure. Colour in zooids. lobehasacentral commonexhalent withacircleof aperture mat. Each Colonies are low sandy lobes approximately 10 mm high, tightly packed on a basal surface substrate

Brewin, 1958 habitat 1 cm images: Mike Page 57 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Molgulidae

morphology classification Botryllus tuberatus tuberatus Botryllus Kott P. the QueenslandMuseum,23,440 p. Memoirs (1985) TheAustralian andStolidobranchia. of Ascidiacea1.Phlebobranchia Botryllus schlosseri Botryllus It couldalsobe………. globally widespread. Nelson harbour. This species was first described from Southern California and is now and shallowintertidal subtidal environments around Wellington south coast and andoysters asmussels in otherorganismsThis speciestypicallyencrusts such flower-shaped a colony the appearance. Colourinlifebrilliantorange andcreaminatransparent test. giving systems, circular spaced widely in arranged Colonies aresmall,delicate, very thinandtransparent. Brightorange zooidsare surface

Ritter &Forsyth, 1917 substrate habitat 0.5 cm images: Mike Page 58 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Molgulidae

morphology classification Molgula manhattensis Molgula manhattensis

Kott, P. the QueenslandMuseum , 23,440 p. Memoirs (1985)TheAustralian andStolidobranchia. of Ascidiacea I.Phlebobranchia sea grape sea squirt Molgula mortenseni It couldalsobe………. Louisiana.ItisnowCape Codtosouthern globallywidespread. from New York Atlanticdistributionfrom Harbour withacontinuousnorthwestern seafloor. Presently restricted to the Manukau Harbour. This species was first described Tolerant highsedimentandlow of salinity. May occurinlarge aggregations onthe forming root-like processes. Colourinlifetranslucent tocream. thetest;hairsareusuallylonger atthebase, hairsonthesurfaceof adheres toshort like cellophane. Gillslitsspiral, gillsfolded, Sediment andoral tentacles branched. close together on theuppersurface. Test semi-translucent andrelatively tough,looks Body small,sphericaltooval, inhalantandexhalent siphonsrelatively longand surface

(De Kay, 1843) substrate habitat main image: insetimage: Keith Hiscock MisjelDeclee 4 cm 59 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Molgulidae

morphology classification Molgula mortenseni Molgula mortenseni Kott, P. the QueenslandMuseum , 23,440 p. Memoirs (1985)TheAustralian andStolidobranchia. of Ascidiacea I.Phlebobranchia Zealand, 79(1):104–113. Brewin, B.I. New Zealand.Part New (1951)Ascidians of theHauraki Gulf. 6.Ascidians of theRoyal Part Societyof 2.Transactions andProceedings of Molgula manhattensis It couldalsobe………. now known tooccurthroughout New ZealandandsouthAustralia. large solitary ascidians. This species was first described from the Hauraki but Gulf is harbour seabedsaround New Zealand.Oftenepizoic,livingamongshellsandother as Can befound individualsinhighsedimentenvironments inaggregations such of adherentsand,otherwisetranslucent whitetocream. Colour inlifethatof folded,and gills spiral, slits A kidney throughtentacles branched. can often be seen clearly the body Gill wall. sand grains. fine with coated flexible, thin, test Body ovoid toglobular, 1–2cm diameter, closetogether apertures onuppersurface, surface

(Michaelsen, 1922) (Michaelsen, substrate habitat illustration sourcesfrom: Brewin (1951) 0.5 cm

60 image credit: illustration sourced from Brewin (1951) Brewin from sourced illustration credit: image Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Pyuridae

opooysurface morphology classification Microcosmus squamigerMicrocosmus Kott, P. the QueenslandMuseum , 23,440 p. Memoirs (1985)TheAustralian andStolidobranchia. of Ascidiacea I.Phlebobranchia juvenile Cnemidocarpanisiotus Pyura speciescomplex It couldalsobe………. California, andMexico. theworld, includingSouthAfrica,theMediterranean, France,of Atlantic, theNorth and Marlborough Sounds. It is an Australian species that has colonised other parts has been recorded in New Zealand from the Hauraki Gulf, Hawke Bay, Taranaki, and exposed locations,New predominantlyaroundZealand.Thisspecies northern Usually occurs in large aggregates on rock, concrete and cave walls in sheltered on wrinkles, orange andmaroon-striped siphons. crosses the gutloop. over Colourinlifeorange thedescendinglimbof withmaroon at times hard and occasionally brittle. Gill slits simple, left gonad tentacles branched, Body elongate wart-like to oval, on short apertures siphons. Test leathery and tough, substrate

Michaelsen, 1927 Michaelsen, habitat main image: Griffiths Charles 1 cm 61 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Order Stolidobranchia Family Pyuridae Pyura doppelgangera Pyura Zoological Journal of theLinneanSociety , 168:597–611. Zoological Journal of Rius, M.,Teske, P.R. (2013) Crypticdiversity incoastalAustralasia: habitat-forming sibling species. amorphologicalandmitonuclear genetic analysis of morphology cunjevoi Pyura praeputialis It couldalsobe………. is SouthAustralia andTasmania. Harbour, andWareana NinetyMile Beach, Bay Thenative intheFar North. range 12 m. Restricted including Tauroa at present to the Far North Bay, Parengarenga platforms, sometimes occupying 100%cover. May befound subtidally down to Individuals canbevery large andoftenformdenseaggregates onintertidal test,mayencrusted bequitegreen,siphonsarebrightreddish orange. slits elongate, the sandy, Colour in life is that of gills folded, tentacles branched. orcross-shaped siphons are visible by cruciform the bright reddish orange body wall visible from exterior. inflated, Gill When filaments. algal and sand with coated thebody.siphons setinthedepresseduppersurfaceof Test cartilaginous, tough,thick, Large, solitary, stumpy, ascidian with two large chalice-shaped mounds representing surface

Rius &Teske, 2013 substrate habitat 7 cm images: Roger Grace 62 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Pyuridae

morphology classification Pyura pachydermatina pachydermatina Pyura

Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea. R.H.(1982)The marine faunaof New Zealand,76(2):87–131. Brewin, B.I. thePortobello (1946)Ascidians inthevicinityof MarineBiologicalStation,Otago Harbour. theRoyal Societyof Transactions andProceedings of sea tulip Styela clava It couldalsobe………. species commontotheSouthIsland forests on the sea floor from down the intertidal to greater than 30 m. A cold water coast, and in harbours with high tidal flow. In optimal conditions they can form dense Sea tulipsgrow inhighenergy environments New insouthern Zealandontheopen along longitudinalridges andinsiphons. the body. side of on each paired blocks Colour in life cream, tinged with maroon in smallerindividuals. Gillslitselongate, gonads in gillsfolded, tentaclesbranched, smooth, thrown undulatinglongitudinalridges intothick that are morepronounced thehead inhalant andexhalent head.Surface of siphonsareobvious atthetopof Stalks generally smoothorhorizontallywrinkled,never longitudinallywrinkled.Large The ‘seatulip’iseasilydistinguishedby itslongleatherystalkandbulboushead. surface substrate

(Herdman, 1881) New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir , 85:1–117. habitat main image: FloorAnthoni 6 cm 63 Class Ascidiaceaclassification Order Stolidobranchia Family Pyuridae Pyura Pyura Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea. R.H.(1982)The marine faunaof New Zealand,76(2):87–131. Brewin, B.I. thePortobello (1946)Ascidians inthevicinityof MarineBiologicalStation,Otago Harbour. theRoyal Societyof Transactions andProceedings of morphology Microcosmus squamiger Cnemidocarpa nisiotis It couldalsobe………. smallest details. Species in the complex include physical their to due field the in distinguished similarity. They often vary the only by A ‘species complex’ closelyrelatedspeciesthat cannot be easily isagroup of around New Zealand. Found growing toshelldebris piles andfouling ontheseabedattached wharf often pigmentedwithdeeppurple, andsiphonrimstripedwhiteorpeach. orange test. Siphons are with darker burnt on raised sections of in life pale peach thebody side of wallgonad on each may bearranged Colour in paired blocks. long A branched. tentacles folded, gills elongate, slits Gill wrinkled. finely warty, thebody.close together or ateitherendof Test tough,leathery, deeplyfurrowed, Body elongate, ovalsiphonssetreasonably tobanana-shapedwithlongmuscular (Sluiter, 1900)andP. Brewin, cancellata 1946. species complex surface New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir , 85:1–117. P. Brewin, rugata 1948, substrate P. subuculata main images: AnneFrijsinger insetimage: MatVestjens 4 cm 64 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Styelidae

morphology classification Asterocarpa humilis Asterocarpa

Millar R.H. (1982) The marine fauna of New Zealand: Ascidiacea. Millar R.H. (1982)Themarine faunaof New Zealand,76(2):87–131. Brewin B.I. thePortobello (1946)Ascidiansinthevicinity of MarineBiological Station,OtagoHarbour. theRoyal Societyof Transactions andProceedings of compass sea squirt the North Atlantic. the North Hemisphere specieshasspreadtotheCelticSea, EnglishChannel,France and records are from Southh Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. This Southern fouling bivalves around New Zealand. It was first recorded from Tasmania and early pilesand The species hasasubtidaldistribution,occurringunderboulders, on wharf thebodyof wall. elongate, tentaclessmooth,andgonadsappearinstar-shaped clusters oneitherside hydroids sponges, and algae, andistranslucent andusuallygrey with tobuff-coloured.Thegillslitsare encrusted times at flexible, and smooth is test The bands. Body have longitudinal globular with maroon eight white internal siphons which surface

(Heller, 1878) substrate New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir , 85:1–117. habitat 0.5 cm main image: Mike Page 65 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Styelidae

opooysurface morphology classification Cnemidocarpa bicornuta

Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea. R.H.(1982)The marine faunaof New Zealand,76(2):87–131. Brewin B.I. thePortobello (1946)Ascidiansinthevicinity of MarineBiological Station,OtagoHarbour. theRoyal Societyof Transactions andProceedings of saddle sea squirt Cnemidocarpa nisiotis It couldalsobe………. This speciesiswidespreadthroughout New Zealand. on shallow piles. Generally co-occurs with reefs and wharf Very common in ports, harbours, and coastal environments. May be locally abundant orange tocream.Oftenfouled withhydrozoans, bryozoans andfilamentousalgae. end.Testat theirterminal leatheryandlongitudinally wrinkled.Colourinlifelight to thebody wall underthegillsacarelongandtubular, sometimesbentbackwards siphon lining. Gillslitsareelongate, folded, tentaclesaresmooth.Gonads attached in warty processes. Characterised by magenta four pigmentontheorange bandsof nearer tothebase. Siphonsareseparated by adistinctive saddle, andarecovered Saddle-shaped withtheinhalantsiphonusuallyattopandexhalent siphon substrate

(Sluiter, 1900) New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir , 85:1–117. habitat Cnemidocarpa nisiotis. 2 cm images: Mike Page 66 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Styelidae

morphology classification Cnemidocarpa nisiotis Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea. R.H.(1982)The marine faunaof New Zealand,76(2):87–131. Brewin B.I. thePortobello (1946)Ascidiansinthevicinity of MarineBiological Station,OtagoHarbour. theRoyal Societyof Transactions andProceedings of Cnemidocarpa bicornuta It couldalsobe………. Island, SouthIslandandChathamIslands. the North Cnemidocarpa bicornuta. This species is widespread around the coasts of Can belocallyabundantonshallow piles. Generally co-occurswith reefsandwharf Very commoninports,harboursandcoastalenvironments around New Zealand. pale yellow towhitelongitudinalbandsinthesiphons. the body wall. brown Colourinlifedark tosilty, withmaroon siphonliningsandfour slits, tentacles are smooth, and there are three flask-shaped gonads side on of each usually fouled withhydroids, bryozoans andalgae. Gillsarefolded withelongate wrinkled, large irregular warty processes occuraround the siphons. Test leathery, Oval shapedbody withtwo siphonsapproximately abody Body half lengthapart. surface substrate

(Sluiter, 1900) New ZealandOceanographic InstituteMemoir , 85:1–117. habitat 1.5 cm main image: FloorAnthoni 67 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Styelidae

opooysurface morphology classification Styela canopus

Kott, P. the QueenslandMuseum , 23,440 p. Memoirs (1985)TheAustralian andStolidobranchia. of Ascidiacea I.Phlebobranchia rough sea squirt Pyura speciescomplex It couldalsobe………. including theSouthPacific Islands. Harbour. Thisspecies hasaglobaldistributionintemperate and tropical latitudes pilesinlowOccurs subtidallyonwharf abundance, presentknown distribution,Nelson cream totan,stripeswhite, orange or burnt brown withpurplishtinges. elongate, gillsfolded, tentaclessmooth,testisfollicles outsideovary. Colourinlife upper body; thesemay beobscuredby wrinklesinthetoughleatherytest.Gillslits thebody. of the back down thesiphonsand Finestripesrun theexternal surface of occurring around thesiphonsandlongitudinalwrinkles, becominglessdistincton the body,top of one slightly larger than theother. Test tough with warty tubercles Body small,erect,oblong, withnostalkandtwocloselyspaced siphonsonthe short

(Savigny, 1816) substrate habitat 1 cm images: Rosana Rocha 68 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Styelidae

opooysurface morphology classification Styela clava

Kott, P. the QueenslandMuseum , 23,440 p. Memoirs (1985)TheAustralian and Stolidobranchia. of AscidiaceaI.Phlebobranchia club sea squirt Pyura pachydermatina It couldalsobe………. Seas. Baltic, andBlack Mediterranean, Oceans, Atlantic Pacific and the throughout worldwide spread has It Siberia. to Japan from occurs it where Pacific northwestern the is species this of Wellington andaround theSouthIslandfrom Farewell SpittoBluff. The native range Whangarei, Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel Peninsula, Tauranga, South Taranaki to Can belocallyabundant.Thisspecieshasbeenrecorded from Islands, theBay of Settles on artificial structures such as marina pontoons, marine farms, and the seabed. in lifecreamtotan,oftencovered withepiphytes andsediment. folded, gillslitselongate, andtentaclessmooth.Testis follicles outsideovary. Colour the siphons.testcreasedlongitudinallyanddown Posterior of thestalk.Gills half the body.the top of Test leathery and conical, with warty swellings at the top around tosubstratum byanchored root-like processes. siphonsareclosetogether Short at stalk, generallyIndividuals usually with a short no longer body, than the cylindrical

Herdman, 1881 substrate habitat 4 cm main image: Mike Page 69 Class Ascidiacea Order Stolidobranchia Family Styelidae

opooysurface morphology classification Styela plicata

Millar, New Zealand:Ascidiacea. R.H.(1982)The marine faunaof Kott, P. theQueensland Museum,23,440p. Memoirs (1985)TheAustralian and Stolidobranchia. of AscidiaceaI.Phlebobranchia pleated sea squirt Farewell SpittoBanksPeninsula. Islandharboursandaroundhas beenrecordedinmostNorth the SouthIslandfrom Often occursindenseclustersandisrarely fouled withotherorganisms. Thisspecies follicles outsideovary. orange Colourinlifedullwhitewithburnt tinges. pleated appearance. Gillslitselongate, gillsfolded, tentacles smooth,and testis subdividedby arefurther horizontalcreases,which givingitadistinctlyknobbed, ridges test. longitudinal into cartilaginous divided Test thick firm, a Bodyovoidwith

naturally occurring around New naturally occuring around New southwest native Zealand, Australia and other Zealand, endemic pacific pacific locations

species first described from since first described in New range outside of New Zealand waters Zealand, this species has been introduced extention and is found in New Zealand recorded elsewhere and other locations, invasive

life history naturally occuring around New antipodean widespread species recorded globally Zealand and Australia only

solitary animal bound by a singe multiple animals bound by a solitary colonial test single test

hemispherical with brain-like ball spherical, globular brain corrugations

long tubular sausage-shaped loaf rounded elongate, hemispherical sausage colonies

without definable shape, often closely packed flat topped lobes amorphous with lobed surface, potato or lobed cluster joined by basal mat tuber-shaped, massive

thick encrust- spreading over substratum, more many single bodies on long stalks medusa

morphology ing than 20 mm thick arising from a narrow basal mat

spreading over substratum, less solitary sad- widely-spaced siphons with low thin encrusting than 5 mm thick dle saddle in between

finger-like, often arising from elongated body with a short solitary fingers an encrusting or restricted base, narrow stem, siphons closely stalked vase digitate spaced at anterior end

wandering along and above solitary oval bulbous body with 2 siphons meandering substratum attached at intervals, stalked on a long narrow stem repent

low, laterally elongate, oval stalked stalked with club-shaped bodies solitary shaped, with 2 siphons, grouped attached to a common basal mat mound separated by about ½ a body length

rounded body, siphons often solitary stalked simple single stalked bodies close together at the anterior

morphology rounded end

bunched vase-shaped individuals solitary ob- vertically elongated body with 2 grapes joined basally long siphons at the anterior end

even, hairless, silky, can be bearing small flattened bumps or smooth warty slightly undulating tubercles

zooid apertures line subdermal hairs projecting from the body of canals radiating and branching radial systems hairy solitary ascidians, often holding away from common cloacal sand grains, hirsute apertures

zooid apertures form rings circular sys- common cloacal apertures raised around common cloacal raised lobes tems at the terminal end of lobes apertures

prickly bundles of very long body wall can be gelatinous, spiny spicules projecting from the test transparent appearing see-through, internal of solitary ascidians details visible

surface irregularly pitted and ridged wrinkled siphons raised above the body rough surface, often tough, rugose siphons wall, wrinkled and often warty

sandy sediment incorporated into star-shaped carbonate granules sand in test test of colonial ascidians, feels spicules visible in and on the test granular

deeply bearing irregularly parallel ribs parallel sys- zooid oral apertures in parallel wrinkled and grooves along the body wall tems lines along subdermal canals

zooids open separately forming test surface with ridges in a honeycomb no systems paired openings on low humps in honeycomb pattern the test

hard substrate such as mudstone, very fine muddy and silty mud rock sandstone, basalt, compressed sediments derived from carbonates terrigenous rocks, soils and clays

living or growing on the external epizoic/epi- rubble shell, stone and pebble rubble surface of an animal (epizoic) or phytic seaweed, (epiphytic)

substrate anything man-made such as small coarse grains of worn artificial sand mooring blocks, mussel lines, silica, rock, and shell substratum wharf piles

indentation in rock filled with rockpool water, intertidal zone

sand and rubble spread over exposed shoreline zone between underlying hard substrate, high and low tides, including rock organisms attached to basement flats, pools, overhangs, crevices, intertidal covered rock rock susceptible to inundation organisms exposed to wave and scouring from wave surge action, temperature extremes, and currents, and subdued full illumination, and desiccation illumination

composed of a variety of zone below the low tide, sedimentary substrates including including rock flats, slopes, walls, coarse gravels, shell hash and crevices, overhangs, boulder sands to finer sand, mud, and subtidal seabed fields, organisms exposed to silts, organisms susceptible to wave surge and currents, and inundation and scouring from subdued illumination wave surge and currents, and subdued illumination habitat

seabed raised into a bank of compacted rubble and other underwater cliffs and slopes, carbonate materials including organisms exposed to wave wall bank shell, kina and sea lace hash, surge and currents, and subdued organisms exposed to wave illumination surge and currents, and subdued illumination

underwater caves, shelves and areas of seafloor with coralline overhangs, organisms may indents algal beds algae, sea-grass or multiple experience wave surge, subdued seaweed species illumination, or near darkness

73 about this guide | about sea squirts | colour index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary glossary algal beds areas of seafloor with coralline algae, sea-grass or multiple seaweed species amorphous without definable shape, often with lobed surface, potato or tuber-shaped, massive ampullae blind terminal expansion of the epidermal vessels, often flask-shaped in the Botryllidae anterior towards the front antipodian naturally occurring in New Zealand and Australia, and may include seamounts and ridges to the north apertures openings of the body to the exterior for exchange of water, inhalant ‘mouth’ (branchial) aperture, exhalent (atrial) aperture artificial substratum anything man-made such as mooring blocks, mussel lines, wharf piles ball spherical, globular or semi-spherical bank seabed raised into a bank of compacted rubble and other carbonate materials including shell, kina and sea lace hash, organisms exposed to wave surge and currents, and subdued illumination blunt not sharp, rounded ends brain-shaped hemispherical with brain-like corrugations brittle fragile but rigid, breaks apart easily cartilaginous having the texture of cartilage, firm and tough yet flexible circular systems zooid apertures form rings around common cloacal apertures colonial multiple animals bound by a single test concentric circles arranged with one inside the other covered rock sand and rubble spread over underlying hard substrate, organisms attached to basement rock susceptible to inundation and scouring from wave surge and currents, and subdued illumination cryptic difficult to see (habitat) or difficult to detect differentiate omfr other species deeply wrinkled bearing irregularly parallel ribs and grooves along the body wall diameter the distance across the widest point of a circle digitate finger-like dorsal upper surface of the animal endemic naturally occurring in New Zealand, but not elsewhere environment physical, chemical, ecological, behavioural, and other conditions experienced by an organism epiphytic living or growing on the external surface of a plant epizoic living or growing on the external surface of an animal eurybathic can live or be found at many depths fingers finger-like, often arising from an encrusting or restricted base, digitate firm requires some pressure to compress fleshy feels like skin or edam cheese, dense gelatinous jelly-like, slippery gill sac organ used for both the exchange of gasses (breathing) and collection of food gonad reproductive structure granular surface covered in small to medium sized rounded or square granules, giving a sand-papery texture due to calcareous or siliceous minerals in or on (echinoderms) the surface of the organism grapes bunched vase-shaped individuals joined basally habitat the environment and local situation in which an organism lives hairy hairs projecting from the body of solitary ascidians, often holding sand grains, hirsute hard solid to the touch, not compressible, rigid honeycomb test surface with ridges in a honeycomb pattern indents underwater caves, shelves and overhangs, organisms that live there may experience wave surge, subdued illumination, or near darkness interstices the gaps and spaces between things e.g., rocks, sand-grains or seaweed holdfasts intertidal exposed shoreline zone between high and low tides, including rock flats, pools, overhangs, crevices, organisms that live there are exposed to wave action, temperature extremes, full illumination, and desiccation introduced species first described from outside of New Zealand waters and is found in New Zealand and other locations, invasive, adventive lateral side of an animal leathery thick, tough, flexible, slightly elastic

loaf rounded elongate, hemispherical lobed cluster closely packed flat-topped lobes joined by basal mat margins edge of a surface meandering wandering along and above substratum attached at intervals, repent medusa many single bodies on long stalks arising from a narrow basal mat morphology form and structure, shape mottled variable, blotchy, patterning of several colours mud very fine silty sediments derived from terrigenous rocks, soils and clays naked surface unadorned by spines or granules, usually smooth native naturally occurring in New Zealand, but may also occur naturally elsewhere, endemic no systems zooids open separately forming paired openings on low humps in the test opaque impenetrable by light oral related to the mouth of an animal parallel systems zooid oral apertures in parallel lines along subdermal canals posterior towards the rear of the organism radial systems zooid apertures line subdermal canals radiating and branching away from common cloacal apertures radius distance between the edge and centre of a circle raised lobes common cloacal apertures raised at the terminal end of lobes range extension since first described in New Zealand, this species has been recorded elsewhere refuge safe place to hide from predators rock hard substrate such as mudstone, sandstone, basalt, compressed carbonates rockpool indentation in rock, filled with water, intertidal zone rough irregularly pitted and ridged surface, often tough rubble shell, stone, and pebble rubble sand small coarse grains of worn silica, rock, and shell sand in test sandy sediment incorporated into test of colonial ascidians, feels granular sausage-shaped long tubular sausage-shaped colonies seabed composed of a variety of sedimentary substrates including coarse gravels, shell hash and sands to finer sand, mud, and silts, organisms susceptible to inundation and scouring from wave surge and currents, and subdued illumination sinuous wavy pattern smooth even, hairless, silky, can be slightly undulating soft easily compressible, elastic solitary one animal bound by a single test solitary mound low, laterally elongate, oval shaped, solitary ascidian with 2 siphons, separated by about ½ body length solitary oblong vertically elongated solitary ascidian body with 2 siphons at the anterior end solitary rounded rounded solitary ascidian body, siphons often close together at the anterior end solitary saddle solitary ascidian with widely-spaced siphons separated by a low saddle solitary stalked solitary ascidian with oval bulbous body and 2 siphons on a long narrow stem solitary stalked vase elongated solitary ascidian body with a short narrow stem, siphons closely spaced at anterior end spicules star-shaped carbonate granules visible in and on the test spined surface covered with spines (echinoderms), or prickly bundles of very long spicules projecting from surface of the organism (sponges, ascidians) stalked grouped stalked with club-shaped heads attached to a common basal mat stalked simple single stalked bodies subdermal canal canal that connects zooids together around a common aperture (exhalent) substrate an underlying substance or layer, rock, sand, etc subtidal zone below the low tide, including rock flats, slopes, walls, crevices, overhangs, boulder fields, organisms exposed to wave surge and currents, and subdued illumination surface patterning or ornamentation on the surface of the body of an animal tentacle tentacles surround the inhalant (branchial) aperture; they can be simple or branched and are important characters at the genus level test protein coating surrounding the body, tough and leathery in some solitary species, or a gelatinous matrix surrounding zooids in colonial species

testis follicle sacs that contain sperm; these are usually cream-coloured and the ovary is orange, containing eggs thick encrusting spreading over substratum, more than about 20 mm thick thin encrusting spreading over substratum, less than about 5 mm thick translucent lets light through body wall or surface of organism, but not enough to perceive distinct details through it. transparent body wall can be gelatinous, appearing see-through, internal details visible transverse across the short axis of the body wall ventral lower surface or underside of the animal that sits on the seabed wall underwater cliffs and slopes, organisms exposed to wave surge and currents, and subdued illumination warty bearing small flattened bumps or tubercles widespread species recorded globally wrinkled siphons siphons raised above the body wall, wrinkled and often warty zooids small individual sea squirts of the same species living communally in a common test, often forming systems to pump water, or opening individually to the exteriorlateral side of an animal

The majority of specimens examined to produce this guide came from the NIWA Invertebrate Collection (NIC) and were collected under the following research programs:

• The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) Marine Biotechnology Programme collection voyages, New Zealand Foundation for Research Science and Technology (contract COIX0207); • The Department of Conservation (DoC) Biodiversity China Shops and Deep Reefs Expedition (contract FMA08/2), Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area Monitoring (project DOC 12405) and Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Sunday Cove Biodiversity Atlas (project DOC14401); • The Ministry Fisheries project ZBS2005/35, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand project 10623 and Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) Project 12099.

This guide is dedicated to the late Patricia Mather (nee Kott) in acknowledgement of her lifetime contribution to the taxonomy of Southern Hemisphere ascidians. Our knowledge of the New Zealand ascidian fauna is richer for the early works of Sluiter, Michaelsen and more recently, those of Brewin and Millar. Many of the images in this guide were taken during the Marine Biotechnology Program collection expeditions, many thanks to Vicky Webb for having the foresight to support our research in this area.

The preparation of this guide was funded by NIWA under Coasts and Oceans Research Programme 2 Marine Biological Resources: Discovery and definition of the marine biota of New Zealand (2015/2016 SCI). image credits

Unless stated otherwise, all images in this guide are the work of Mike Page. Permission to use images from the following photographers is gratefully acknowledged: Craig Depree, NIWA Hamilton, New Zealand; Sean Handley, NIWA Nelson, New Zealand; Dennis Gordon, NIWA Wellington, New Zealand; Chris Woods, NIWA Christchurch, New Zealand; Roger Grace, Algies Bay, New Zealand; Floor Anthoni, Seafriends, Leigh, New Zealand; Arjan Gittenberger, University of Leiden, Leiden, Netherlands; Keith Hiscock, Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, United Kingdom; Misjel Decleer, Bruges, Belgium; Judith Oakley, Oakley Intertidal, Wales, United Kingdom; Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom; Charles Griffiths, Capetown University, Capetown, South Africa; Rosana Rocha, Universidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba, Brazil; John Borom, Weeks Bay Reserve Foundation, Alabama, United States of America; Dirk Schories, Universidad Austral de Chile, Chile, South America; Anne Frijsinger and Mat Vestjens, Kapolnasnyek, Hungary. further reading

Berrill, N.J. (1950) The Tunicata. Royal Society Publications 133: 1–354. Kott, P. (1989) Form and function in the Ascidiacea. Bulletin of Marine Science 45(2): 253–276. Kott, P. (1998) Tunicata. In A. Wells & W.W.K. Houston (eds), Zoological catalogue of Australia, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne: 51–252. Kott, P., Bradford-Greive, J.M., Esnal, G.B., Murdoch, R.C. (2009) 23. Phylum Tunicata: Sea squirts, salps, appendicularians, in D.P. Gordon (ed), New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity Volume 1 Kingdom Animalia: Radiata, Lophotrochozoa, and Deuterostomia, Canterbury University Press: 409–430. Monniot, C., Monniot, F., Laboute, P. (1991) Coral reef ascidians of New Caledonia, Editions de L’ORSTOM, Paris 30: 1–248.

Produced for NIWA by TC Media Ltd www.tcmedia.co.nz August 2014 77