Pycnoclavella producta

Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat hi, to start this discussion group, here is a picture for fans of Pycnoclavella species : Pycnoclavella producta along with Stolonica socialis, Camaret, Brittany, 10 meters, may 2011.

David Kipling This really shows how small the Pycnoclavella are! How characteristic is the square shape to the siphons of S. socialis?

Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat Yes, the siphons have a square opening exept when they are really very very open.

Liz Morris David Kipling, and Wilfried Bay-Nouailhat, I seem to remember from the Ulster museum squirt course a few years back thatt lots of the 4 oral lobed species appear square at times? Including Dendrodoa and Polycarpa? Maybe this would be a useful characteristic in a key, but not the defining feature? What are your thoughts on this?

David Kipling I guess the mechanics of a 4-lobed siphon would mean that relaxation would make it square (as opposed to a star pattern for a 6 or 8-lobed).

David Kipling A whole group of them on the big boulders on the SW side of Skomer earlier this year ... there were square-metre patches of both white and golden versions covering the big boulders. Awesome. Look closely and you'll spot P. producta (transparent and no colour spots) mixed in with them ...

Tony Gilbert Based on these images and your comments I came across some, and was able to identify them in the field. Many thanks for that! http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyjgilbert-images/7651704528/in/set-72157630764104272 These were located as described in Habitas, on a vertical facing wall in around 15m, just on the edge of strong tidal flows. This was on the corner between the Clan Macmaster and Calf Sound, in the Isle of Man. Better still, the image shows 3 types of sea squirts (at least), in this patch, with Pycnoclavella producta are also a couple of Clavelina lepadiformis and a nice bunch of Pycnoclavella aurilucens. I didn't manage too many shots as the tidal flow increased considerably and we were taken down the Sound after that!

David Kipling Yes, top left - white cross between siphons. Nice pics Tony!