TUNICATA : STOLIDOBRANCHIA : StyelidaeSEA SQUIRTS

Polycarpa fibrosa (Stimpson, 1852)


Polycarpa fibrosa

Description: This solitary ascidian is found partially buried in clean gravel or shell gravel, protruding slightly from the surface. The siphons are long and tapering in expansion. The test is covered with fibrils which trap and adhere to sand particles.

Habitat: Most records are from moderately exposed sites with tidal streams.

Distribution: Found all round the British Isles and may be frequent in suitable localities but rather local.

Similar Species: Molgula occulta lives in more muddy sediments and Molgula oculata in coarser sediments. Both have shorter siphons and are less conspicuous than this species.

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). Polycarpa fibrosa (Stimpson, 1852). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=ZD1850 Accessed on 2024-11-12

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