Green barrel tunicate (Didemnum molle)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Didemnum molle
- Common name
- Green barrel tunicate
- Category
- Tunicates
- Family
- Didemnidae
- Genus
- Didemnum
- Size
- 3–10 cm
- Depth
- 1–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, colonial
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean
Description
Didemnum molle reaches 10 cm diameter. Indo-Pacific colonial ascidian (Didemnidae) with colonial body in barrel or ball shape olive-green to turquoise-green open at top by large common cloacal siphon, granular surface. Distinctive green color comes from symbiotic algae of genus Prochloron (cyanobacteria) hosted in tunic at very high density. Lives from 1 to 30 m on Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Forms dense populations on coral massifs. Indo-Pacific macro dive photo subject, unusual green color among ascidians.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Green barrel tunicate?
- Green barrel tunicate (Didemnum molle) reaches 3–10 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Green barrel tunicate?
- Green barrel tunicate is found between 1–30 m deep.
- Is the Green barrel tunicate dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Green barrel tunicate?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Green barrel tunicate?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Didemnidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 212513)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2329762)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia