(Finnsøya - Sør-Trøndelag / 24 meters / 6.04.2006)

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Tunicata

Class: Ascidiacea

Order: Aplousobranchia

Family: Clavelinidae

Scientific name: Clavelina lepadiformis

 

Norwegian: langhals-sekkedyr

Distribution: This small ascidian is well known along the entire Norwegian coast. It is most frequent on rocky substrate, often on steep walls. It is found between the intertidal zone and approximately 30 meters.

Characteristics: Usually sit tight together, loosely attached to each other at the base. The body is transparent and does not exceed a length of 4 cm. A fine white or cream line runs along the body and forms a ring at the top.

They start to grow in late winter and a ready for reproduction in the summer. During a few hours they release a large number of larvae. These attach to the bottom and forms small buds which are the basis for next year's colony. During the fall the ascidian disintegrate.

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