Pycnoclavella stanleyi
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| Pycnoclavella stanleyi | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Tunicata |
| Class: | Ascidiacea |
| Order: | Aplousobranchia |
| Family: | Clavelinidae |
| Genus: | Pycnoclavella |
| Species: | P. stanleyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Pycnoclavella stanleyi Berrill & Abbott, 1949 | |
Pycnoclavella stanleyi is a species of sea squirt[1] that was initially described from specimens collected in the vicinity of Pacific Grove, California, including at Asilomar State Beach.[2]
Pycnoclavella stanleyi is a colonial ascidian with widely separated individuals sharing a base, a leathery tunic typically covered in sand grains.[2] P. stanleyi can be recognized by its seven rows of gill slits and striking gold or yellow-orange pharynx coloration. This coloration overlaps with the introduced Botrylloides violaceus, but that species is chained without clear outer separation of individuals. Overall, this is a small species with individuals not exceeding 1 cm in height.[3]
Reproduction
Like other ascidians, P. stanleyi can reproduce both sexually and asexually.[2] Asexual reproduction takes place via budding. Sexual reproduction results in the formation of larvae, which resemble tadpoles, with an oval body with a long tail. Within the body, there is a dark spot, which is the ocellus, a type of simple eye.[2] Unlike many other sea squirt larvae, they lack an otolith.[2]
Range
Pycnoclavella stanleyi inhabits the Eastern Pacific shoreline, from British Columbia to Baja California.[4]