Purple clavelina (Clavelina dellavallei)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Clavelina dellavallei
- Common name
- Purple clavelina
- Category
- Tunicates
- Family
- Clavelinidae
- Genus
- Clavelina
- Size
- 1–3 cm
- Depth
- 3–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, colonial
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Clavelina dellavallei reaches 3 cm per zooid. Small Mediterranean colonial ascidian (Clavelinidae) with body in erect transparent tubes in colonies, each zooid with two purple-magenta to blue-purple longitudinal bands on transparent body (distinction from C. lepadiformis with white-yellow bands), siphons clearly visible at top. Lives from 3 to 50 m on Mediterranean rocky reefs and caves. Prefers shaded environments. Colonial filter feeder. Mediterranean macro dive photo subject for sciaphilic fixed fauna enthusiasts, caves and overhangs.
Photo of Purple clavelina
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Purple clavelina?
- Purple clavelina (Clavelina dellavallei) reaches 1–3 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Purple clavelina?
- Purple clavelina is found between 3–50 m deep.
- Is the Purple clavelina dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Purple clavelina?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Purple clavelina?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Clavelina
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 103551)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2330170)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia