General Description
A folded colony of vertical zooids in double rows. The siphons are positioned along the top edge of the twisted colony structure. Colour varies, including red, pink, orange and blue. Colony up to 15 cm across.
Biology
Colonies of this species start as small flattened fan shapes. As they grow and expand, the colonies fold and bend which results in the brain-like appearance.
Distribution
Southern and eastern Australia.
Habitat
Reef areas including rock walls and jetty piles, to depth of 50 m.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Brief Id
A red, orange or blue folded colony with zooids (individual animals) arranged in vertical double rows, a brain-like appearance.
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Maximum Size
15 cm
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Habitats
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Diet
Plankton or Particles
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
DSE Advisory List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Shallow (1-30 m), Deep ( > 30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Quoy & Gaimard, 1834)
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Common Name
Brain Ascidian
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
cerebriformis
