Morchellium argus

Jon Chamberlain Any ideas for the top bunch of squirts in this photo? The lower ones look lie Morchellium argus?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/underwaterinferno/8072332015/in/set-72157631733973528/ Beadnell Point, Northumberland 7m rock wall

David Kipling Distaplia rosea. And yes agree with M argus ... different colour to A. punctum, more open, and the killer ID is four rather than one spot her zooid (which I think I can see).

Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat Hi, a few words about Gonçalo Calado's message. I think that I saw the same Aplidium several times at different places: in 2007 in Trebeurden (English Channel), in 2009 in Ria d'Arosa (Galicia) cf. right picture, in 2010 in Camaret (Brittany) cf. top left picture and many tiny colonies in 2011 in Rade de Brest (bottom left). I still hasn't found the name of this species. It's very similar to Morchellium argus, they both have 8 lobes around the buccal opening. It differs in coloration, more orange with a white ring around the buccal siphon and 6 red spots on top of each zooids. It is sometimes identified as Aplidium proliferum in many websites.

Sue Daly Ah, I've seen this one here in the Channel Islands too. How can I post a photo?

Mickey Luv

Mickey Luv very common in my local (Falmouth) rock pools recently but I am not sure what species this is... I am sure one of you does though!

Kirstie Harris Are you Mickey Luv after the League of Gentlemen character? :)

Mickey Luv I am afraid so....

Mickey Luv got it! Indeed a tunicate, Aplidium punctum. Tunicates are booming at the moment, both solitary ones and also Botryllus and Botrylloides.

Mickey Luv Probably a Morchellium argus actually, as they grow to about 4 centimeters

Rohan Holt If you look really close at the ends of the individual zooids you can see small red dots... four around each one. Makes this Morchellium :-)

Mickey Luv Thanks Rohan! Tunicates are tricky to identify I find. There are lots of Corella eumyota around as well but they are not featured in my (excellent) Collins guide. I will write a post about them on my blog this week (anbollenessor.wordpress.com)

Mickey Luv http://anbollenessor.wordpress.com/

David Kipling These are some pictures of a specimen of (what I hope is) Aplidium punctum, both in situ and dissected under the microscope to show the stomach folds. I've included the Millar Linnean synopsis pages for this species and Morchellium argus, which as I diver I also see and can get confused by.

Gonçalo Calado Hi folks, We've just found this tunicate in huge quantities in the Sado Estuary, Portugal. It isthe first time I realised they're there. Any guess? Thanks and happy spring! Gonçalo http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/6997942697/in/photostream/

João Pedro Silva Dawn, do you think these lighter ones could also be S. elegans? http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/6997995331/

Bernard Picton I don't think this is Sidnyum elegans as that species has 8 white papillae around each oral siphon. From the photo I can't see the shape of the whole colony. Do you have any shots which show the sides or edges? My impression at the moment is that I haven't seen this one before.

João Pedro Silva I'm afraid I don't have a shot showing either the whole colony or its edge.

João Pedro Silva I've found another photo which may provide the perspective you wanted, Bernard: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/6861837972/in/datetaken/ I'm convinced there are two species involved here. One more pinkish with smaller colonies and with a smooth white ring around the siphon (the one I posted originally in this thread and also this latest post). The other more yellowish and with the distinct papillae you mentioned: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/6851836804/in/datetaken/

Bernard Picton I think you are right - two different things here. I really don't have a clue apart from saying Polyclinidae. The one with the deep grooves reminds me of Morchellium, but is certainly not Morchellium argus. I'll ask Xavier Turon if he knows these ones.

Paul Freeman could someone tell me what these are? https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152966431775352&set=a.10152966414020352.1073741838.712350351&type=3&theater

Richie West they're sea squirts (ascidians) Paul, looks like Morchellium argus http://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=ZD460

Michelle Hooper I'd go with a sea squirt colony 'Aplidium Punctum' or 'Morchellium Argus' if you mean the white 'fluffy' looking masses :).

Paul Freeman yup - thanks

Michelle Hooper Just out of interest what camera and housing do you use. I'll have to update mine one day! :)

Paul Freeman i had a fuji f30 'till last week - flooded :-( now have a fuji f80 exr. quite pleased so far (only done 2 dives - in the same day)