TUNICATA : PHLEBOBRANCHIA : PerophoridaeSEA SQUIRTS

Perophora listeri Forbes, 1848

Dwarf ascidian


Perophora listeri

Description: Colonies consist of large numbers of small transparent zooids connected by basal stolons. The branchial sac, orange-brown stomach and chains of grey faecal pellets can all be seen inside the zooid when it is alive. 5mm x 4mm x 2mm.

Habitat: Found in sheltered places from lower shore to 30m growing on a variety of substrata, especially on hydroids and bryozoans, even on crabs such as Hyas araneus.

Distribution: West coasts of the British Isles south to the Mediterranean.

Similar Species: There is no other common small ascidian in the British Isles with separate zooids connected by a stolon. See also Protostyela heterobranchia - description in Millar.

Key Identification Features:

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database



 Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2016). Perophora listeri Forbes, 1848. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=ZD1290 Accessed on 2025-02-08

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