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Home » Taxon Pages » Animalia » Chordata » Ascidiacea » Stolidobranchia » Molgulidae » Molgula » Molgula manhattensis (De Kay, 1843) -
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Molgula manhattensis (De Kay, 1843)
Nomenclature
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Unranked: MolgulidaeGenus: Molgula
Species:
Molgula manhattensis (De Kay, 1843)
Vernacular names:
Vernacular name:
Sea grape
SUMMARY
This species is a simple, solitary ascidian, that sometimes grows in dense clusters. The body is globular in shape, measures 1-4 cm in diameter, and attaches to the substrate at its base. The oral and atrial siphons are positioned anteriorly, and prominent when extended. Overall, the tunic is translucent to greyish-green in colour; the surface is covered with numerous tiny hair-like fibrils, often fouled with pieces of shell, algae, or sediment. A bean-shaped kidney is located on the right side of the body, and along with the reproductive gonads, is often visible through the tunic.

