A review of the Ascidiacea (Tunicata) of Moreton Bay, Queensland

2010·3.8 MB·English

by  Patricia Kott

A review of the Ascidiacea (Tunicata) of Moreton Bay,
Queensland
Patricia KOTT
Honorary Associate, Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane, Qld 4101. Email:
[email protected]
Citation: Kott, P. 2010 12 30. A review of the Ascidiacea (Tunicata) of Moreton Bay, Queensland. In,
Davie, P.J.F. & Phillips, J.A. (Eds), Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Marine Biological
Workshop, The Marine Fauna and Flora of Moreton Bay, Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland
Museum - Nature 54(3): 287-297. Brisbane. ISSN 0079-8835.
ABSTRACT
A review of the 95 species of the Ascidiacea recorded from Moreton Bay, Queensland shows that
solitary species of Phlebobranchia and Stolidobranchia (53 species) dominate the fauna, there
being few colonial species of either suborder and only 30 species of the almost exclusively
colonial Aplousobranchia, eight being species of the Didemnidae recorded only from locations
immediately to the north of the Bay rather than in its semi-enclosed waters. However, it is
emphasised that much of the sampling within the Bay has been from muddy and sandy rather
than hard substrates and this may have caused a bias in the material taken. An assessment
of the geographic range of each of the species shows Moreton Bay to be the southern and
northern limit for a number of species with, respectively, tropical and temperate affinities.
This supports other studies indicating that Moreton Bay is at the centre of the eastern Australian
tropical to temperate faunal transition zone. (cid:9633) Ascidiacea, Tunicata, Aplousobranchia,
Phlebobranchia, Stolidobranchia, intertidal, subtidal, reef, taxonomy, checklist, biogeography.
This study is based on the 4000 specimen lots of could smother small colonial zooids with exposed
the Ascidiacea from Moreton Bay, and regions branchial apertures opening on the upper surface
immediately to the north, registered in the of the colony.
collections of the Queensland Museum. Some
TAXONOMIC NOTES
hard surfaces are provided by several ship¬
wrecks on Moreton I. and off the Gold Coast, Ninety-five species of the Class Ascidiacea
reefs on the eastern side of the islands facing the are represented in the collections from Moreton
Pacific Ocean, and rocky headlands such as Bay, Caloundra and Flinders Reef (see Table 1).
Kings Beach (in the northern part of the Bay). Their taxonomy is discussed in Kott (1972-2006).
Only a few locations are described as 'rocky Colonial species are known in the three sub¬
reef or' Acropora reef. However most ascidians divisions (suborders) of the Ascidiacea. In one,
were taken from habitats where sediments such Aplousobranchia, the colonial habit is almost
as sand, mud and shell grit, and various mixtures universal, solitary species occurring only in rare
of these, prevail. This may reflect a collecting and exceptional cases. In the Stolidobranchia
bias that favours the large solitary species that about half of the higher level taxa (families and
dominate this species list. Many of the records subfamilies) are colonial. In the Phlebobranchia,
are from dredge, grab and trawl collecting in most species are large and solitary, only a couple
connection with the late Prof. W. Stephenson's of families being colonial. Colonies are formed
surveys of the benthic fauna (e.g. Stephenson et by vegetative replication (budding or fission)
al 1970,1974,1976). Colonial species that closely that interrupts the growth of individuals and
adhere to hard, clean substrates are not well results in progressively smaller, more numerous,
sampled by these collecting methods; and usually and more simplified zooids united by test. The
settle on upper surfaces where fine sediments parallel evolution of the colonial habit in each
Memoirs of the Queensland Museum — Nature • 2010 • 54(3) • www.qm.qld.gov.au 287
Kott
PHLEBOBRANCHIA
suborder reflects a striking degree of convergence,
all colonial taxa tending toward larger and more Thirteen of the species of Phlebobranchia are
integrated colonial systems, and simplified body listed, characterised by their flat branchial sacs
organs, especially reductions in the size of the and single male and female gonads associated
ovary relative to the testis. This last condition, with the large gut loop embedded in the pallial
possibly associated with internal fertilisation and body wall to the left of the branchial sac. Eleven
the liberation of embryos (brooded in the adult species are large, soltary individuals with a firm,
colony as free-swimming tailed larvae) is a strategy characteristically translucent gelatinous test;
likely to contribute to population maintenance. although in this collection there is an unusually
It is one of the most significant aspects of the large number of species (Adngncsia opaca, Agnezia
colonial habit in all suborders. glaciata. Microgastra granosa and Ascidia scaevola)
with a thin test brittle with embedded sand that
On the other hand, irrespective of suborder,
resembles the test of some Polycctrpa and Molgula
most solitary species are externally fertilised and
species (Stolidobranchia) and suggests that habitat
the adult body organs (branchial sac, gut and
requirements may be the principal environmen¬
liver diverticulae and especially the gonads) tend
tal pressure selecting some components of the
to be larger and more elaborate, presumably to
ascidian fauna of Moreton Bay. These species
accommodate the needs of the large, solitary, exter¬
appear to be adapted for a benthic habitat on
nally fertilised individuals. However, although
the sea floor, and the body muscles are modi¬
the colonial taxa present in Moreton Bay are in
fied to operate the closure of the apertures, rather
the minority, they can be placed in the same geo¬
than the general contraction of the body
graphic groups (based on their known range) as
the solitary taxa (see below). There are ecological Two species are colonial (family Perophoridae),
reasons such as substrate and the range of habi¬ the small, replicated zooids joined by ectoder¬
tats available that can explain the dominance of mal stolons from which they develop, as they
large solitary species in these waters, however are added to the growing colony. Embryos gener¬
there are no obvious biological reasons. Apart ated from the ovaries in the gut loop in the left
from the massive colonies of the stolidobranch side of the atrial cavity are released into a brood
Polyandrocarpa colemani, the colonial species most pouch on the right. These are eventually libera¬
conspicuous in Moreton Bay are similar thin, ted from the colony as free-swimming tailed
sheet-like investing colonies irrespective of the larvae. This viviparous habit is characteristic of
suborders to which they belong, viz, Polyzoinae colonial ascidians in contrast to the oviparous
and Botryllinae (Stolidobranchia) and Didemnidae externally fertilised habit of solitary species.
(Aplousobranchia). The characteristics of the sub¬ STOLIDOBRANCHIA
orders are summarised below and a Key to the Stolidobranch species have the gut loop bent
families represented in Moreton Bay is given. up into the pallial wall on either the right or the
APLOUSOBRANCHIA left side of the pharynx. One or more gonads are
embedded in the pallial wall on both sides of the
Twenty-nine species represent this exclusively
body. Branchial sacs are folded thus increasing
colonial group. They have relatively small zooids
the filtering area — a factor that is especially
with small branchial sacs, the gut loop in an
important in large solitary individuals.
abdomen behind the pharynx and a gonad of
each sex either enclosed in the gut loop or Species usually have rough, leathery test,
stretched out behind it. Although they tend to although in some, the body wall is closely ad¬
have colony forms similar to some colonial Stolido¬ herent to the thin test which has sand embed¬
branchia, replication is even more prolific, ded, making it rigid, brittle and non-contractile.
usually resulting from segmentation of the Body muscles in these species tend to be adap¬
zooids, the replicates developing from endodcr- ted to the opening and closing of apertures rather
mal tissue in each segment. Only Clavelinidae than the contraction of the whole body wall.
are exceptional, their replicates being generated These adaptations are similar in a number of
from mesodermal tissue in the terminal ampul¬ phlebobranch species, suggesting that these com¬
lae of the test vessels. ponents of the ascidian fauna may be responding
288 Memoirs of the Queensland Museum — Nature • 2010 • 54(3)
Ascidiacea of Moreton Bay
to the same environmental pressures. The majority 8. Gonads on one side of body; branchial sac
(41) of Stolidobranchia reported from Moreton without folds.(Phlebobranchia) 9
Bay are solitary. — Gonads on both sides of body; branchial sac
folded.(Stolidobranchia) 12
Colonial species of the Stolidobranchia (Styeli-
dae) bud prolifically from ectodermal tissue of 9. Gonads enclosed in gut loop.10
the pallial body wall or from vessels in the test — Gonads not enclosed in gut loop.
in which they are embedded. These replicated .*.Plurellidae
zooids are small and simplified, the branchial 10. Small colonial zooids joined by external
sacs usually being reduced in size and in the stolons from which they bud, and which fix
number of folds (often being smooth), although them to the substrate; internally fertilised
they have gonads embedded in the body wall eggs develop in brood pouch on right side
on each side of the pharynx as in solitary forms. of pallial wall.Perophoridae
In the present collection there are 10 colonial — Large solitary externally fertilised individ¬
uals.11
stolidobranch species, the majority being in the
subfamily Botryllinae, which has similar encrus¬ 11. Stigmata coiled.Agneziidae
ting colonies to the majority of the Aplouso- — Stigmata rectangular.Ascidiidae
branchia (Didemnidae) in this collection. 12. Branchial folds not more than four per side;
branchial tentacles simple.
KEY TO FAMILIES OF ASCIDIACEA IN .Styelidael3
MORETON BAY — Branchial folds more than four per side;
branchial tentacles branched.15
1. Gut in abdomen behind pharynx .
.(Aplousobranchia) 2 13. Solitary.Styelinae
— Gut in body wall at the side of the pharynx. — Colonial.14
.8 14. Zooids not always completely embedded;
2. Zooids develop from terminal ampullae of excurrent apertures open separately to the
test vessels.Clavelinidae exterior.Polyzoinae
— Zooids develop from horizontal subdivision — Zooids always completely embedded; excur¬
of posterior abdomen and/or abdomen. . 3 rent apertures open to an internal cavity.
.Botryllinae
3. Gonads in posterior end of long gut loop.
.Polycitoridae 15. Stigmata rectangular.Pyuridae
— Gonads not in posterior end of long gut — Stigmata coiled.Molgulidae
loop.4
BIOGEOGRAPHY
4. Testis in longitudinal series in posterior
abdomen behind gut loop.5 Based on their known geographic range, the
— Testis not in longitudinal series in posterior species presently recorded from Moreton Bay
abdomen behind gut loop.7 can be divided into five groups.
5. Excurrent openings of zooids exposed 1. Cosmopolitan Species. These include in their
directly to exterior.6 geographic range the tropical Pacific, Atlantic
— Excurrent openings of zooids exposed to and Indian Oceans, sometimes also the Mediter¬
intracolonial spaces.Polyclinidae ranean, and down the eastern and western coasts
6. Larvae in brood pouch connected to anterior of Australia. Some (Perophora multiclathrata and
part of abdomen by narrow neck. Styeln canopus) extend only to Moreton Bay or
.. . Pseudodistomidae northern NSW on the eastern Australian coast,
— Larvae develop in atrial cavity of zooids. and Cockburn Sound or Bunbury on the Western
.Ritterellidae Australian coast. Trididemnum savignyi is reported
7. Replicates develop as buds from from the western and eastern coasts of Australia,
oesophageal region of zooids. Didemnidae and although pan-tropical is not known from
— Replicates develop by horizontal division north of the equator. Microcosmus exasperatus
of a posterior abdominal vegetative stolon. extends to Port Phillip Bay in the east and several
.Holozoidae species (Botrylloides leachii, Botryllus schlosseri
Memoirs of the Queensland Museum — Nature • 2010 • 54(3) 289
Kott
and Diplosoma listerianum) are recorded from all chinensis, P. obscura, Botrx/llus tuberatus) extend
around the continent. Molgula manhattensis repor¬ south to Moreton Bay and Cockburn Sound on
ted only for a limited time from the Brisbane the east and west, respectively); and some species
River appears to have been introduced but never have a range around the whole continent, inclu¬
colonised in Australian waters (Kott 1972). ding the southern coast (Aplidium altarium, Cnemido-
2. Indo-West Pacific Tropical Species. In Austra¬ carpa pedata, Polycarpa argcntata and Herdmania
grandis).
lian waters these have similar distribution patterns
to cosmopolitan species, although Phallusia arabica 4. Australian Species. These possibly indigenous
has been recorded only from the Arafura Sea, species have not been recorded from outside
the Great Barrier Reef and Moreton Bay. Ritter- Australian waters. They are either circum-
ella dispar is known from the west Indian Ocean Australian (Ascidia latesiphonica, Phallusia obesa,
as well as the eastern Australian coast from Polycarpa pedunculata); or known only from the
Mackay to northern NSW. Otherwise it is not northeastern and northwestern coasts (Sigillina
recorded from the Western Pacific nor from the cyanea, Sycozoa pulchra, Synotcum macroglossum
western coast of Australia. The majority of species and Eugyra molguloides). Also, the largest group
in this group have a known range extending of species reported from Moreton Bay are a
south to Moreton Bay or northern New South group of 27 indigenous species known only
Wales on the eastern coast and to Port Hedland, from the eastern coast of the continent that are
Shark Bay or Cockburn Sound on the western perhaps the best indicators of its biogeographic
coast (Polyclinum vascidosum, Didemnum moseleyi. affinities. Some of these species are not recorded
D. sordidum, D. membrcmaceiim, Lissodinum Mstratwn, south of Moreton Bay and could be regarded as
Phallusia julinea, Eusynstyela latericius, Microcosmus tropical species (Didemnum scopi, Lissodinum con-
madagascariensis and At squamiger) although some chylium, Phallusia barbarica Cnemidocarpa floccosa,
have been recorded from all around the C.stolonifera, Polycarpa fungiformis, P. nota, P.
continent, including the southern coast (Ascidia ovata, Pyura confragosa). Some not recorded north
sydneyensis, Cnetnidocatpa areolata, Polycarpa papillata, of Moreton Bay may very likely have temperate
Polycatyta procera, Pyura gangelion, P. saccifortnis, affinities (Clazdina australis, Pseudodistoma inflation,
and Botrylloides perspicuum). Aplidium directum Dumus arenijerus, Adagnesia
Lissodinum bistratum is of particular interest, opaca, Stolonica australis, Microcosmus propinquus,
being one of the characteristically tropical Didem- Pareugyrioides exigua). Trididemnum cerebriforme,
num/Prochloron symbioses (Kott 1980) which known from the central coast of Western
are autotrophic, the chlorophyll-containing Australia, the southern coast of the continent
Blue/Green algal symbionts photosynthesising and north to Moreton Bay and also may have
carbohydrate to nourish the ascidians. The species temperate affinities. Five species (Aplidium
is one of the tropical ascidians that extends incubatum, Leptodinides longicollis, Polysyncraton
furthest to the south, having been recorded also flammeum, Perophora sabulosa and Molgula rirna)
have been recorded only from the immediate
from Hastings Point (northern NSW).
vicinity of Moreton Bay.
3. Western Pacific Tropical Species. These occur
Only seven species, Leptodinides pladdus (Noosa
in waters to the north of Australia, and many
to northern NSW), Eudistoma elongation (Hervey
have a range extending down the eastern coast
Bay to Port Jackson), Synoicum prunum (Cape
to Moreton Bay (Distaplia dubia, Leptodinides
Tribulation to NSW), Ascidia decepta (Townsville
rufus, Polysyncraton meandratum, Asddia empheres,
to South Australia), Ascidia glabra (Townsville to
Herdmania momus, Molgula diversa) or to more
NSW), Hartmeyeriaformosa (Torrres Strait to Bass
southerly locations (Eudistoma laysani, Asddia
Strait) and Microcosmus stoloniferus (Innisfail to
scaevola, Microgastra granosa). Also in this group
South Australia) do not have a boundary at More¬
Microcosmus australis extends south to Bass
ton Bay and there is no indication of biogeo¬
Strait on the eastern coast and Cockburn Sound
graphic affinity from the data presently available.
on the west and Molgula sphaera to Moreton Bay
and Albany on the eastern and western coasts, 5. Southern Ocean Species. These form only a rela¬
respectively; several species (Polycarpaaurita, P. tively small component, and include: Agnesia gladata
290 Memoirs of the Queensland Museum — Nature • 2010 • 54(3)
Ascidiacea of Moreton Bay
(reported from subantarctic locations, extending species. Another (albeit smaller but well-defined)
up the South American and Australian (to group of 14 species are judged to be temperate,
Double Island Point, SE Qld) continents, and having the northern limits of their range in
Pyura stolonifera (which may be a Gondwana- Moreton Bay. Seven species appear to be
land relict, having populations on the coasts of indigenous to the central eastern coast of
Africa, the south-eastern coast of Australia and Australia, and there are five species known
in Peru, Ecuador and Chile); Botryttus stewartensis only from Moreton Bay and its immediate
and Dumus arenifenis (extending across the south¬ vicinity. Other species recorded from the area
ern Australian coast); and Sigillina cyanea (reported have a wide pan-tropical, tropical Indo-West
from south eastern and western Australia) are Pacific, western Pacific and circum-Australian
known from New Zealand and appear to have a range that include Moreton Bay and extend into
Trans-Tasman connection (Kott 2007a). temperate waters down the eastern and
western coasts of Australia.
CONCLUSION
Relatively few colonial species are known
The semi-enclosed embayment that is More- from the area and these are most often similar
ton Bay, appears to be a transition zone between thin sheet-like colony forms. The composition
the tropical and temperate species of the of the ascidian fauna may be the result of the
eastern coast of Australia. Thirty two species lack of habitats favouring a colonial habit while
with tropical affinities and with the southern
large solitary phlebobranch and stolidobranch
limits of their range at Moreton Bay dominate the
species are well adapted for the mud, shell and
fauna. The majority of these are large, solitary sand substrates that abound in the area.
Table 1. List of species of the Class Ascidiacea reported from Moreton Bay, Queensland. Each family
heading includes a citation to a recent account of species-level taxa for that family (see also Kott 2005).
Species Locality Depth/Collecting method/
Substrate
APLOUSOBRANCHIA
Family Clavelinidae [see Kott 1990a)
Clavelina australis North Stradbroke I. (Amity Point 18.2 km W of to 9m
(Herdman, 1899) Myora); Peel I. dredge
sides of rocky reef
Family Polycitoridae [see Kott 1990a, 1992b]
Eudistoma elongatum Gold Coast Seaway (piles outside Seaworld); intertidal
(Herdman, 1886) North Stradbroke 1. (Dunwich, intertidal flats. trawl dredge
Amity Point, Myora); Myora Light (c. 2.4 km N); mud flats with Zostera sp.; sea
Moreton I.; Bribie I. (Pumice Stone Passage); Red- grass meadows; dolorite rock,
land Bay (in landing strip area, c. 1.6 km offshore); behind ridge, deep ledge; boat
Jacobs Well Jetty; Biggera Creek (1 km from mouth jetty pile; rocky substrate
of creek. L.W.M.); Caloundra (Kings Beach)
lEudistoma laysani North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich; Myora Banks); 3-30 m
| (SI u iter, 1900) Caloundra (Moffat Beach) common under rocks
Family I lolozoidae [see Kott 1990a]
Sycozoa pulchra Coochiemudlo I. (1.6 km NE.); 0.8-1.6 km S of 2-10 m
(Herdman, 1886) Peel I. (Southwest Rocks); 2 km N of Hope trawl, dredge
Beacon; Redland Bay (between mainland & mud through to sand and
Garden I.) shell grit
Family Pseudistomidae [see Kott 1992a, 2007a]
Pseudodistoma inflation Mooloolaba (Gneering Shoals)
Kott, 1992a
l Sigillina cyanea Moreton 1. (Tangalooma wrecks)
(Herdman, 1899)
Memoirs of the Queensland Museum — Nature • 2010 • 54(3) 291
Kott
Species Locality Depth/Collecting method/
Substrate
Family Ritterellidae [see Kott 1992a]
Dumus areniferus North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich); Moreton I. 10 m
B re win, 1952 dredge; rocky substrate
Ritterella dispar Moreton 1.; Caloundra; Flinders Reef
Kott, 1957
Family Polyclinidae [see Kott 1992a]
Aplidiutn altarium North Stradbroke I. (Myora Banks)
1 (Sluiter, 1909)
r—;-, -
Aplidium directum North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich); Cape Moreton 6-140 m
Kott, 1972 dredge; coral rubble
Aplidiu m in cu ba tu rn Cape Moreton, Point Lookout, Smith's Rock intertidal to 10 m; coral rubble;
Kott, 1992a crevices in rocky platforms
Aplidium sp. North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich); Moreton I. 15 m
(Smith's Reef) dredge
Polyclinum vasculosum North Stradbroke I. (Myora Banks); Bribie I. Deep ledge, behind ridge
Pizon, 1908 (Pumicestone Passage)
Synoicum macroglossum Gold Coast (Scottish Prince) 13 m
(Hartmeyer, 1919) wreck dive
Synoicum prunum Bribie I. (Ocean Beach)
(Herdman, 1899)
Family Didemnidae [see Kott 2001]
, Didemnum jedanense Cowan Cowan Wrecks 1.8 m
Sluiter, 1909 coral rubble
Didemnum Moreton I.; Caloundra 5 m
membranaceum under ledge
Sluiter, 1909
Didemnum moseleyi Caloundra 1 m
(Tierdman,1886) under buoy
Didemnum scopi Caloundra (Kings Beach) intertidal
Kott, 2001 rocky substrate
, Didemnum sordidum Moreton I. 5 m
Kott, 2001 under ledge
Diplosoma listerianum North Stradbroke I. (Myora Banks); Woody on back of crab
(Milne Edwards, 1841) Point
Leptoclinides longicollis Moreton Bay
Kott, 2001
Leptoclinides placidus Moreton 1. (Smith Rock) 15 m
Kott, 2001
Leptoclinides rufus Caloundra (King's Beach) intertidal
(Sluiter, 1909) rocky substrate
Lissoclinum bistratum off Moreton Island (Smith Rock); Flinders Reef 15 m
(Sluiter, 1905) coral reef
! Lissoclinum conchylium Moreton I. 6 m
Kott, 2001 under rock
Polysyncraton flammeum Caloundra (King's Beach)
Kott, 2001
Polysyncraton meandra- Caloundra (King's Beach) intertidal
tum Monniot, 1993 rocky substrate
| 292 Memoirs of the Queensland Museum — Nature • 2010 • 54(3)
Ascidiacea of Moreton Bay
Species Locality Depth/Gollecting method/
Substrate
Trididemnum nobile N Stradbroke I. (W of Myora, coral bay); 13-15 m, intertidal
Kott, 2001 Caloundra (King's Beach) reef, rocky substrate
Trididemnum savignyi Moreton I. (Smith's Rock) 15 m
(Herd man, 1886) reef
PHLEBOBRANCHIA
Family Agneziidae [see Kott 1985]
Adagnesia opaca Toorbul Point (0.8 SE Red Beacon); Peel I. 5-10 m
Kott, 1963 (Southwest Rocks); Rous Channel sand, shell, grit
Agnezia glaciata North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich); Peel 1. 2-17 m
(Michaelsen, 1898) (Southwest Rocks) sand and mud
Family Ascidiidae [see Kott 1985, 2003]_
; Ascidia decepta North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich); Biggera Ck (1 intertidal
Kott, 1985 km from mouth of creek); Cleveland Point;
Redcliffe (Woody Point)
Ascidia empheres North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich): Victoria Point
Sluiter, 1895
Ascidia glabra North Stradbroke I. (Myora Banks); Peel I.
Hartmeyer, 1922
Ascidia latesiphonica Moreton I (The Wrecks); Victoria Point 10 m
Hartmeyer, 1922
Ascidia scaevola Peel I; 08- 1.6 km S of Peel I. (Southwest Rocks); 2-9 m
(Sluiter, 1904) 2.4 km SE St Helena; Green I. (S beacon on N grab, dredge
tip); W of Hope Banks; Cleveland (N pt of Green sand, shell, grit, mud, sandy
1. on Nazereth House mud
Ascidia sydneyensis North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich, Myora Banks); intertidal, 2-8 m
Stimpson, 1885 Peel I. (between two beacons. Southwest Rocks); trawl, grab, dredge
0.8-1.6 km S of Peel I. (Southwest Rocks); St. various mixtures of sand,
Helena 1. (2.4 km E); Wellington Point (3.2 km E); shell, grit, mud; coral; mud
Redcliffe: Otter Rock (1.6 km E) flats with Zostera sp.
Phallusia arabica North Stradbroke 1. (Dunwich) intertidal
Savigny, 1816
Phallusia barbarica Cleveland Point rocks and mud
Kott, 1985
Phallusia julinea North Stradbroke I. (Myora Banks, Dunwich); to 20 m
Sluiter, 1915 Moreton 1. (Cowan Cowan)
Phallusia obesa Moreton I. (Cowan Cowan Wrecks) 20 m
(Herdman, 1880)
Family Perophoridae [Kott 1985,1990b, 1992b]
Perophora multiclathrata Redcliffe (Woody Point)
(Sluiter, 1904)
Perophora sabulosa North Stradbroke I. (Pt Lookout, Dunwich); Peel 1. intertidal, 6 m
Kott, 1990 dredge, rock crevices
Family Plurellidae [Kott 1985, 1990b]
Microgastra granosa North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich); Peel I. dredge
(Sluiter, 1904)
STOLIDOBRANCHIA
Family Styelidae (Styelinae) [Kott 1985,1992b, 2003]
Cnemidocarpa areolata off Moreton I. (Smiths Rock); Caloundra (Shelly 15 m
| (Heller, 1878) [Beach) muddy sand
Memoirs of the Queensland Museum — Nature • 2010 • 54(3) 293
Kott
Depth/Collecting method/
Species Locality
Substrate
0 8-1.6 km S of Peel 1. (Southwest Rocks); Bramble 2-9 m
Cnemidocarpa floccosa
(Slu iter, 1904) Bav 15 km NE Cabbage tree); Brisbane River mouth
Cnemidocarpa lobata Gold Coast (wreck of Scottish Prince) 13 m
wreck dive
(Kott, 1952)
trawl
Cnemidocarpa pedata Trawled with Pyura spinifera
(Herd man, 1881)
Cnemidocarpa stolonifera North Stradbroke 1. (Rainbow Channel, 4-15 m
Dunwich, Amity Point, Myora Light); 0.8-1.6 km trawl, dredge, grab
(Herdman, 1899)
S of Peel 1. (Southwest Rocks); Peel 1.; Moreton I. mud, shell, grit, sandy mud;
(Smith Rock, Cowan Cowan wreck); off Moreton sand slope out from boat
Island; St Helena 1. (S); Redcliffe jetty (1.6 km ramp, mud flats, fringing reef;
SE); Redcliffe Water Tower (E, 1.6 km offshore; Acropora reef
southern Moreton Bay (W side)
15 m
Polycarpa argentata Moreton 1. (Smith Rock)
(SI n iter, 1890)
North Stradbroke 1. (Dunwich); 0.8-1.6 km S of intertidal to 9 m; grab
Polycarpm aurita
sand, shell grit, shelly sand,
(Sluiter. 1890) Peel I. (Southwest Rocks); Raby Bay
sandy mud
Moreton I. (Tangalooma, 8 km W, nr M3 beacon; 7-12 m on rising shallowing
Polycarpa chinensis
S edge Dring Banks; 0.8-1.6 km S of Peel I. banks grab, trawl, dredge
(Tokioka, 1967)
(Southwest Rocks); 6.4 km off North Stradbroke mud, sand, shell, grit;
I.; W of Hope Banks,Scarborough (8.7 km E of
Reef Pt; 12.8 km E); Scarborough
North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich); Southern 5-8 m
Polycarpa fnngiformis
Moreton Bay, W side); 0.8-1.6 km S of Peel 1. grab, trawl, dredge
Herdman,1899
muddy, gritty mud, sand,
(Southwest Rocks)
shell grit
North Stradbroke I. (Myora Banks)
Polycarpa nota Kott,
1985
Polycarpm obscura Heller, Moreton 1. (Cowan Cowan wrecks) 20 m
*
1878
Myora Light (45.7 m W); Mud I.; Peel I.; Redcliffe intertidal-10 m; dredge, grab
Pol yea rim ovata Pizon,
mud to sand and shell grit
Water Tower (1.6 km E)
1908
Gold Coast (Scottish Prince, Bait Reef); N. 10-20 m
Polycarpa papillata
Stradbroke 1. (Myora Light, Dunwich); Peel I.; trawl, dredge, SCUBA
1 (Sluiter, 1885)
Hope Banks (1.6 km E); Moreton 1. (Cowan Cowan); amongst reef corals, sponges,
2.1 km SW Wellington Point (3.2 km E); St Helena mussels, sand to mud and
I. (0.8 km E and S beacon off Green 1.24 km E); Mud shell-grit substrates; sides of
I. Redcliffe Jetty (1.6 km SE); Flinders Reef; rocky reef, Acropora reef
Hutchison Shoals
Moreton I. (Cowan Cowan); Scarborough (183 m 3-20 m
Polycarpa pednnculata
dredge, wreck dives
Heller, 1878 off blinker)
sides of rocky reef
Polycarpa procera Moreton I.
(Sluiter, 1885)
North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich); Peel I. east 3-7m
Styela canopus
(Hanlon Light); Pearl Channel (6.4 km NE of dredge
(Sa vigny, 1816)
Pearl Channel buoy); Wellington Point) gritty sand with mud
Styela plicata (Lesueur, Peel I. (Southwest Rocks); Manly Boat Harbour; 3-7 m intertidal
1823) Wellington Point; Biggera Ck (1 km from mouth grab
of creek on large boulders) sand, shell, grit; sandy mud;
294 Memoirs of the Queensland Museum — Nature • 2010 • 54(3)
Ascidiacea of Moreton Bay
Species Locality Depth/Collecting method/
Substrate
Family Styelidae (Polyzoinae) [Kott 1985,1990b, 1992b]
Eusynsti/ela latericius Moreton 1.; Biggera Creek (1 km from mouth of under rock
(Sluiter, 1904) creek)
Polt/androcarpa colemani Gold Coast (Scottish Prince) 13 m
Kott, 1992 wreck dive
Stolonica australis North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich); Peel 1. dredge
Michaelsen, 1927
Symplegma brakenhielmi North Stradbroke 1. (Dunwich, Myora Banks); 20 m
(Michaelsen, 1904) Moreton I. (Cowan Cowan); Cleveland Point (3.2 under rock, on wreck, mud
km NNE); Hutchinson Shoals flats with Zostera, gritty mud
Meta n d roca rpa mi n iscu l a North Stradbroke 1. (Point Lookout) sand-adapted in crevices and
Kott, 1985 epibiotic; intertidal
Family Styelidae (Botryllinae) [Kott 1985,1990b, 1992b]
Botrylloides leachii Pearl Channel (6.4 km NE of Pearl I.) 1.9 m; grab, wreck dive;
(Savigny, 1816) sand, shell, grit, gritty mud,
intertidal pools in mud flats
Botrylloides perspicuum Moreton I. (The Pines); Coffee Rock 14 m
Herdman, 1886 sides of rocky reef
Botrylloides violaceus Gold Coast (Scottish Prince); Moreton I. 13 m; on wreck; mud flats,
Oka, 1927 sandy mud and fringing reef
Botryllus schlosseri North Stradbroke I. (Myora Light, Myora Banks); dredge
(Palias, 1766) Peel I (S)
Botryllus steivartensis North Stradbroke 1. (Point Lookout) intertidal to 10 m
Brewin, 1858 coral rubble, low tide crevices
Botryllus tubcratus Ritter North Stradbroke I. (Myora Banks)
& Forsyth, 1917
Family Pyuridae [Kott 1985,1990b, 2002]
Hartmeyeria formosa Peel I. (Southwest Rocks); Bramble Bay (5 km NE 5-12 m; grab, dredge
Herdman, 1881 Cabbage Tree); Hope Banks (3.2 km W) sand, shell grit, mud, sandy
mud, muddy sand
Herdmania grandis North Stradbroke I. (6.4 km off); Moreton I. 5-15 m
(Heller, 1878) (Smith Rock); Cleveland Light; halfway between trawl
Cleveland and Peel 1. jetties; Redcliffe Water muddy grit, gritty sandy
Tower (1.6 km offshore) mud, shelly, mud and shell
Herdmania momus Flinders Reef 5.4-9 m
(Savigny, 1816) gritty mud, coral reef
Microcosmus australis North Stradbroke I. (Myora Banks); Moreton I. 1.8-8.3 m; low tide
Herdman, 1899 (The Wrecks'); 0.8 km south of Peel I. dredge, grab
(Soutliwest Rocks); Scarborough to Bribie I.; mud with shell; shell, grit;
Otter Rock (1.6 km E); Biggera Ck (1 km from shelly; gritty mud, clean and
mouth of ck, on large boulders); Bramble Bay (5 hard sand
km NE Cabbage Tree)
Microcosmus cxasperatus North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich, Myora Banks); 6.5 m; grab, dredge; mud flats
Heller, 1878 Southwest Rocks, 0.8 km S of Peel I.; Peel L; and rubble with hard and soft
Brisbane River mouth; Cleveland (Raby Bay) corals; mud flats and Zostera
Microcosmus madagascar- Moreton Bay 6 m
iensis Michaelsen, 1918 dredged
Microcosmus propinquus 1.6 km S of Peel I. (Southwest Rocks) 5.4 m
Herdman, 1881 grab; sandy mud
Memoirs of the Queensland Museum — Nature • 2010 • 54(3) 295
Kott
Species Locality Depth/Collecting method/
Substrate
Microcosmus squamiger North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich, Myora Banks); intertidal, 7.6 m
Michaelsen, 1927 0.8 km S of Peel I. (Southwest Rocks); Brisbane grab, dredge
River mouth; Biggera Ck (1 km from mouth of ck sand, shell, grit; on rocky
on large boulders); Cleveland Point; Redcliffe shore; from Mussel clumps,
Peninsula (Woody Point) under rocks LWM
Microcosmus stoloniferus Peel I.; 0.8-1.6 km S of Peel I. (Southwest Rocks) 5..4-7.9 m; grab, dredge; mud
Kott, 1952 to sand, shell and grit
Pyura confragosa Kott, off Moreton I. (Smith Rock) 15 m
1985 rocky reef
i Pyura elongata Tokioka, North Stradbroke L (Dunwich); Peel I.; intertidal
1952 Cleveland Point, Wellington Point Jetty dredge; on rocks
Pyura gangelion Moreton I. (Tangalooma); Peel I. (S end between 2.1-5.4 m
(Savigny,1816) 2 beacons; W end: 1.6 km S Southwest Rocks); dredge, grab; muddy grit,
Peel I. (S of Myora Banks) shell grit sandy mud, wrecks
Pyura navicula Kott, 1985 Moreton 1. (Cowan Cowan) 20 m
Pyura sacciformis Moreton I. (Cowan Cowan Wrecks) 18 m
(Drasche, 1884) encrusting epifauna off wreck
Pyura stolonifera Gold Coast Seaway; North Stradbroke 1. (Amity 1-20 m
(Heller, 1878) Point); Moreton I. (Cowan Cowan, Smith Rock); on piles, rock wall
Caloundra (Shelly Beach)
Family Molgulidae [Kott 1985]
Eugyra molguloides Peel I.; 0.8-1.6 km S of Peel I. (Southwest Rocks); 3.5-8 m
1 SI u iter, 1904 Bramble Bay (5 km NE Cabbage Tree) dredge, grab
sandy mud; gritty mud
Molgula diversa Kott, 1.6 km S of Peel I. (Southwest Rocks) 6-10 m
1972 sand, shell, grit, sandy mud;
Molgula ficus North Stradbroke I. (Dunwich); Redland Bay LWM to 10 m
(Macdonald, 1859) (landing strip area); Sandgate Jetty; Naval grab, dredge, trawl
Reserve (4.8 km N); Bramble Bay (5 km NE sand, shell, mud, grit, gritty
Cabbage Tree); Brisbane River mouth; Biggera mud, sandy mud
Creek (1 km from mouth of creek); Scarborough
(8.7 km E of Reef Point); Cleveland Point;
Woody Point
Molgula manhattensis Brisbane River (Mobray Park, mouth of Norman mid-channel
(de Kay, 1843) Creek, Bulimba Corner, City Reach)
1 Molgula mollis Brisbane River mouth
Herdman, 1899
Molgula rim a Kott, 1972 Peel 1. (Southwest Rocks) 6-10 m; grab, dredge
sand to mud, and shell grit
Molgula sphaera Kott, Peel I. (Southwest Rocks) 3-7 m; grab
1972 sand to mud, and shell grit
! Pareugyrioides exigua 1.6 km S of Peel I. (Southwest Rocks) 6-10 m
(Kott, i972) sand, sandy mud, shell, grit
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS conducted by the late Professor W. Stephenson.
I am grateful to the many individuals who have Most recently the assistance provided by Dr Merrick
collected from a range of locations in Moreton Ekins (Collection Manager in the Queensland
Bay over many years, especially to those who Museum) in retrieving the specimen information
were involved in the extensive benthic surveys from the data base has been formidable and is
296 Memoirs of the Queensland Museum — Nature • 2010 • 54(3)