Clavelina huntsmani
| Clavelina huntsmani | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Tunicata |
| Class: | Ascidiacea |
| Order: | Aplousobranchia |
| Family: | Clavelinidae |
| Genus: | Clavelina |
| Species: | C. huntsmani
|
| Binomial name | |
| Clavelina huntsmani Van Name, 1931
| |
Clavelina huntsmani, the lightbulb tunicate, is a species of tunicate in the family Clavelinidae. It is found on rocks from the low intertidal to a depth of 30 meters, from British Columbia to San Diego, California.[1][2]
Description
The lightbulb tunicate is named for two distinct pink lines, formed by the dorsal lamina and endostyle of each zooid, which resemble the filaments of a light bulb.[2] Individual zooids are nearly transparent, each 2-4 cm tall and 5-10 mm in diameter, forming clusters up to 50 cm across.[1][2]
Natural History
The abundance of the lightbulb tunicate varies by the season, with reduced populations in autumn and increased populations in late winter.[1] The organism broods its larvae during the summer, and when the young zooids form, they are initially attached to other zooids, although they later separate as adults.[2]
References
- ^ a b c Watanabe, James (2021). "Subphylum Urochordata". Stanford SeaNet. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- ^ a b c d Cowles, Dave (June 2002). "Clavelina huntsmani, Van Name, 1931". Invertebrates of the Salish Sea. Retrieved February 5, 2026.