Light-bulb tunicate (Clavelina lepadiformis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Clavelina lepadiformis
- Common name
- Light-bulb tunicate
- Category
- Tunicates
- Family
- Clavelinidae
- Genus
- Clavelina
- Size
- 1–3 cm
- Depth
- 0–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, colonial
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Clavelina lepadiformis reaches 3 cm per zooid. Small colonial ascidian (Clavelinidae) Mediterranean and East Atlantic with body in individual transparent tubes erect in clusters, each zooid with two characteristic white-yellow to orange longitudinal lines on transparent body evoking classic light bulb (hence the name), funnel siphons at top. Lives from 0 to 50 m on rocks, wrecks and hard substrates. Colonial filter feeder. Classic Mediterranean and East Atlantic rocky reef macro dive photo subject, very photogenic in backlight.
Photo of Light-bulb tunicate
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Light-bulb tunicate?
- Light-bulb tunicate (Clavelina lepadiformis) reaches 1–3 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Light-bulb tunicate?
- Light-bulb tunicate is found between 0–50 m deep.
- Is the Light-bulb tunicate dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Light-bulb tunicate?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Light-bulb tunicate?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Clavelina
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 103552)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2330198)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia