Aplidium cf. glabrum (Verrill, 1871)

Aplidium cf. glabrum

Description: A colonial ascidian consisting of groups of very flat-topped lobes closely pressed together, with sand coated sides. The upper surface is clean, and brown in colour. 5mm thick x 10mm diameter.

Habitat: Apparently a species usually found in the circalittoral, often in sand-scoured sites.

Distribution: Reported to be a northern form in the British Isles, rarely recorded.

Similar Species: The name used here for this species is somewhat doubtful, but it is a distinctive entity, sometimes called the "Honeycomb Aplidium". There is also a thick, grey, translucent Aplidium species which is being reported as Aplidium glabrum or Aplidium cf. glabrum from the UK, France and the Netherlands. It seems to be an invasive species which has recently appeared in the N. E. Atlantic.

Key Identification Features:

• Brown, flattened lobes, closely pressed together.
• Sand coated sides, producing honeycomb effect.
• Internal anatomy.

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