BIOTIC Species Information for Distomus variolosus
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| Researched by | Dr Paul Somerfield & Prof. Richard Warwick | Data supplied by | PML | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed. | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Distomus variolosus | Common name | Lesser gooseberry sea squirt | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | ZD121 | Recent Synonyms | |||||||||||||
| Phylum | Chordata | Subphylum | Tunicata | ||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Ascidiacea | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Order | Pleurogona | |||||||||||||
| Suborder | Stolidobranchiata | Family | Styelidae | ||||||||||||
| Genus | Distomus | Species | variolosus | ||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Millar, 1970, Berril, 1950, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Gibson et al., 2001, Howson & Picton, 1997, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Globose |
Feeding method | Active suspension feeder |
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| Mobility/Movement | Permanent attachment |
Environmental position | Epifaunal |
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| Typical food types | Phytoplankton, detritus | Habit | Attached | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Flexibility | Low (10-45 degrees) | |||||||||||||
| Fragility | Fragile | Size | Very small(<1cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | Up to 1 cm | Growth Rate | Not researched | ||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | Not researched | Dependency | Independent | ||||||||||||
| Sociability | Colonial | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Fish & Fish, 1996, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Recorded in west Sussex, south Devon and Cornwall, Lundy, south and south-west Wales, south-east and western Ireland, north Wales, Isle of Man and the sound between Gighay and Hellisay in the Outer Hebrides. | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Found in north-west Europe from south-west British coasts south to the coasts of Portugal. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Temperate. | Depth range | Lower shore to 20 m. | ||||||||||||
| Migratory | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Bedrock Large to very large boulders Algae |
Physiographic preferences | |||||||||||||
| Biological zone | Wave exposure | ||||||||||||||
| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Salinity | ||||||||||||||
| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Millar, 1970, Berril, 1950, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Picton & Costello, 1998, JNCC, 1999, NBN, 2002, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Budding |
Developmental mechanism | Viviparous (No Care) |
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| Reproductive Season | July to September | Reproductive Location | As adult | ||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Regeneration potential | Yes | |||||||||||||
| Life span | 1-2 years | Age at reproductive maturity | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Generation time | Not researched | Fecundity | 3-4 | ||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | Up to 0.6 mm | Fertilization type | Internal | ||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | It is hermaphroditic although the exact type of hermaphroditism has not been recorded. | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | Berrill, 1948b, | ||||||||||||||
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