Didemnum parau Monniot & Monniot, 1987

Monniot, Françoise, 2010, Some new data on tropical western Pacific Ascidians, Zootaxa 2561 (1), pp. 1-29 : 9

Didemnum parau Monniot & Monniot, 1987

( Figures 7B , 8A )

Didemnum parau Monniot C. & Monniot F., 1987: 3 Fig. 12 A–D , pl. IIG. Monniot F. & Monniot C. 1996: 159 Fig. 14A , pl. 2F; 20001: 270. Kott 2002: 37; 2007: 1187, Figs 3C,D, 9D .

Material. Coll. Coral Reef Research Foundation, Palau, Southwest Isls, Helen Reef channel, 02°52.24’N – 131°44.55’E, 30m, 17/IX/2008, 0CDN 9802-O ( MNHN A2 DID. C 603 ); Helen Reef channel, 02°59.48’N – 131°44.67’E, 20m, 29/IX/2008, 0CDN 9914-L ( MNHN A2 DID. C 604 ) .

This species is common in the entire tropical Pacific. The colonies are always white ( Fig. 7B ) with spicules in spheres made of very numerous needles ( Fig. 8A ).

Figures

FIGURE 7. A: Didemnum nocturnum. B: Didemnum parau. C: Didemnum rodriguesi. D: Lissoclinum bistratum.

FIGURE 8. Spicules: A: Didemnum parau. B: Didemnum rodriguesi. C: Lissoclinum roseum. D: Lissoclinum timorensis. Scale bars: 10µm.

FIGURE 9. Didemnum nocturnum: A: thorax, B: abdomen. Scale bar 0.5mm.

FIGURE 12. A: Lissoclinum roseum. B: Lissoclinum timorensis.C: Diplosoma versicolor.

FIGURE 14. Leptoclinides planus: n. sp. A: thorax, B: larva, C: abdomen with an additional testis, D: abdomen with a single testis. Scale bars 0.5mm.