Polycarpa rubida ( Sluiter, 1898 )

Monniot, Françoise, 2012, Some ascidians from the southern coast of Madagascar collected during the “ AtimoVatae ” survey, Zootaxa 3197, pp. 1-42 : 36-38

Polycarpa rubida ( Sluiter, 1898)

( Figures 30 B, 32A,B)

Styela (Polycarpa) rubida Sluiter, 1898: 53 pl.7 fig.1–4, Mozambique.

Polycarpa rubida: Monniot & al 2001: 96 fig. 47B and synonymy, Natal.

Station. TA 52 (MNHN S1 POL.B 563).

A group of about 10 individuals more or less isolated are entirely covered with epibionts ( Fig. 30 B). P. rubida looks like a colonial species but no obvious links appear. The basal part of the individuals is sometimes elongated in a kind of filled peduncle giving a characteristic aspect to this species. In formalin, below the cover of varied organisms, the tunic is ochre with deep furrows. The body wall is thick. The oral siphon has a long velum. About 30 tight oral tentacles alternate with smaller ones. The dorsal tubercle is simple. The 4 branchial folds are low ( Fig.32 B). For a 2cm large specimen the branchial formula on the right side is: E-1- 7 -2- 9 -2- 9 -2- 8 -2-DL. The stigmata rows are sometimes irregularly cut by parastigmatic vessels. The gut loop is simple located posteriorly ( Fig.32 A). The long stomach has either marked or almost absent folds according to the individuals. The anus is lobed. Numerous endocarps are spread on the whole body wall ( Fig. 32 A). An average of 10 elongated polycarps lie on each body side. The internal side of the atrial siphon is covered with thread-like papillae.

P. rubida is recorded from Natal to Mozambique where it has been reported several times.

Figures

FIGURE 32. Polycarpa rubida: A, dissection; B, branchial sac.

FIGURE 30. A, Polycarpa madagascariensis. B, Polycarpa rubida, scale bar = 1 cm.