You are here
Home » Taxon Pages » Animalia » Chordata » Ascidiacea » Stolidobranchia » Styelidae » Styela » Styela clava Herdman, 1881 -
Taxon Pages
Styela clava Herdman, 1881
SUMMARY
This species is a simple, solitary ascidian, with a tough outer covering or tunic. The body is elongated and club-shaped, and attaches to the substrate by a distinct stalk. The stalk is shorter than or equal to the body length; total length measures 5-15 cm. The oral and atrial siphons are positioned anteriorly, smooth in texture, and ringed in alternating light and dark bands. The tunic is opaque, thick, and leathery, with distinct tubercles near the siphons and wrinkled pleats that run longitudinally. Overall colour ranges from brown to reddish-brown.