A striking colony morphotype of Aplidium proliferum (Milne Edwards, 1841) (Ascidiacea: Polyclinidae) from the Strait of Gibraltar.


Published: Oct 12, 2017
Keywords:
Ascidiacea Aplidium Strait of Gibraltar Mediterranean
A. RAMOS-ESPLA
O. OCAÑA
Abstract

An unusual colonial ascidian with 1-2m in length, belonging to the genus Aplidium (Ascidiacea: Polyclinidae), has been sampled from the Strait of Gibraltar (Ras Leona, Morocco). The characteristics of the colony, zooids and larvae point us to A. proliferum. The species seems common in the NE Atlantic from the Shetland Islands to Mediterranean Sea, but it never has observed the size of colonies as found in this area, the Strait is the largest so far reported, which it is probably represents one of the longest ascidian worldwide.

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Author Biographies
A. RAMOS-ESPLA, University of Alicante

Marine Research Center (CIMAR)

Senior Professor

O. OCAÑA, Museo del Mar de Ceuta

Museo del Mar de Ceuta

researcher

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