ON A NEW SPECIES OF CLAVELINA FROM JAPAN, WITH REMARKS ON ITS MODE OF BUDDING

Abstract

Colonies of a strange form of the Clavelininae were found by Mr. Hirokazu Fujimoto of the Faculty of Science, Tokyo Kyoiku University on the eastern rocky shore at Tatado, west of Shimoda, during the spring tide in May, 1972. The colony varied considerably in size, always being intertwined with other ascidians, hydroids and small algae. Thus, it was very difficult to see the exact range of respective colonies, though the colonies themselves were distinguishable in the field by the bright orange colouration of completely exposed thoraces. Since then, the colonies have been reared continuously by the first author on glass-plates set immersed in the inlet near the Shimoda Marine Biological Station, and it was found that this animal performs a unique type of budding and never forms any real colonies. This, then, imposed a fast work of exact identification of the animal upon the second author. Before going further, the authors want to present their sincere thanks to Mr. Fujimoto for his kindness in submitting so generously the interesting specimens to them.