Cnemidocarpa humilis (Leathery sea squirt)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Tunicata > Ascidiacea (sea squirts) > Phlebobranchia > Family: Styelidae > Genus: Cnemidocarpa

Cnemidocarpa humilis (Leathery sea squirt). [photo CL Griffiths ©]

Distribution and habitat

Distribution includes southern Australia, New Zealand and southern South America. In South Africa, it has been recorded from Hout Bay harbour and Simonstown (Cape Peninsula), on ropes and is probably introduced (Picker and Griffiths 2011).

Importance

Fouls marine structures such as floating pontoons and harbour ropes (Picker & Griffiths 2011).

Publications

• Branch GM, Griffiths CL, Branch ML, Beckley LE. 2017. Two oceans - a guide to the marine life of southern Africa (4th Edition). Penguin Random House South Africa, Cape Town. More details...
• Monniot C, Monniot F and Griffiths CL. 2001. South African ascidians. Annals of the South African Museum 108(1): 1-141.
• Picker M and Griffiths C. 2011. Alien and Invasive Animals - A South African Perspective. Struik Nature, Cape Town.

Text by Hamish Robertson