Latest Articles from ZooKeys Latest 6 Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 14:00:14 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://zookeys.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from ZooKeys https://zookeys.pensoft.net/ Taxonomic identity of Distaplia stylifera (Tunicata, Ascidiacea), a new arrival to the eastern Pacific displaying invasive behavior in the Gulf of California, Mexico https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/95986/ ZooKeys 1157: 109-125

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1157.95986

Authors: Betzabé Moreno-Dávila, Leonardo Huato-Soberanis, Jaime Gómez-Gutiérrez, Carolina Galván-Tirado, Carlos Sánchez, Teresa Alcoverro, Eduardo F. Balart, Xavier Turon

Abstract: A colonial ascidian of the genus Distaplia caused a mass mortality of the pen shell Atrina maura (Sowerby, 1835) during June 2016 in the southwest of the Gulf of California (Mexico), with a significant socio-economic cost. Tentatively identified in previous works as Distaplia cf. stylifera, a precise taxonomic determination was still lacking. In the present work, based on a detailed morphological study, it is confirmed that this aggressive species is Distaplia stylifera (Kowalevsky, 1874). Originally described from the Red Sea, the species currently has a wide circumtropical distribution (with the exception of the Eastern Pacific to date) and is reported as introduced in parts of its range. The present account thus represents an important range extension of this species. However, when revising the original description and later observations, the reported variability of several characters makes it likely that the binomen is in fact a complex of species, as is common in other ascidians with wide distributions. A complete morphological and genetic study including populations from the entire range of distribution would be necessary to settle the status of D. stylifera. Taxonomic uncertainties hinder a correct interpretation of biogeographical patterns and inference on the origin of the studied population. Nevertheless, the known introduction potential of the species, coupled with an explosive growth in an anthropized environment, and the lack of any previous reports in the Eastern Pacific, strongly suggest that the investigated population represents yet another instance of ascidian introduction. From the point of view of management, its invasive behavior is cause for great concern and warrants mitigation measures.

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Short Communication Wed, 5 Apr 2023 18:01:00 +0300
A redescription of Syncarpa composita (Ascidiacea, Stolidobranchia) with an inference of its phylogenetic position within Styelidae https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/32654/ ZooKeys 857: 1-15

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.857.32654

Authors: Naohiro Hasegawa, Hiroshi Kajihara

Abstract: Two species of styelid colonial ascidians in the genus Syncarpa Redikorzev, 1913 are known from the northwest Pacific. The valid status of the lesser known species, Syncarpa composita (Tokioka, 1951) (type locality: Akkeshi, Japan), is assessed here. To assess the taxonomic identity of S. composita, we compared one of the syntypes and freshly collected topotypes of S. composita with a syntype of S. oviformis Redikorzev, 1913 (type locality: Ul’banskij Bay, Russia). Specimens of S. composita consistently differed from the syntype of S. oviformis in the number of oral tentacles, the number of size-classes of transverse vessels, and the number of anal lobes. In this paper, S. composita is redescribed as distinct from S. oviformis, and its phylogenetic position inferred within Styelidae based on the 18S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences. In our phylogenetic tree, Syncarpa formed a well-supported clade together with Dendrodoa MacLeay, 1824. In Syncarpa and Dendrodoa, a single gonad is situated on the right side of the body, which is unique among Styelidae, and thus can be a synapomorphy for this clade.

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Research Article Mon, 24 Jun 2019 16:44:45 +0300
Checklist of ascidians (Chordata, Tunicata) from the southern Gulf of Mexico https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/31712/ ZooKeys 832: 1-33

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.832.31712

Authors: Lilian A. Palomino-Alvarez, Rosana Moreira Rocha, Nuno Simões

Abstract: This study is the first inventory of ascidians from shallow waters (0–25 m) of coastal and reef habitats in the southern Gulf of Mexico where ascidian diversity is poorly known. Sampled environments in 14 locations (38 sites) with 134 samples collected from 2015 to 2017 included coral reefs, coastal lagoons, mangroves, seagrass, ports, and artificial platforms. The 31 identified species comprise 19 genera and 13 families. Ten species are newly reported in the Gulf of Mexico: Ascidia panamensis Bonnet & Rocha, 2011; Ecteinascidia styeloides (Traustedt, 1882); Cystodytes roseolus Hartmeyer, 1912; Eudistoma aff. amanitum Paiva & Rocha, 2018; Eudistoma recifense Millar, 1977; Euherdmania fasciculata Monniot, 1983; Euherdmania aff. vitrea Millar, 1961; Polycarpa cartilaginea (Sluiter, 1885); Botrylloides magnicoecum (Hartmeyer, 1912) and Didemnum granulatum Tokioka, 1954. Two new species will be described separately (Clavelina sp. and Pyura sp.). This study provides the first records for 26 species ascidians for the region as well as describes increased distributions of ten Atlantic species. Thus, our data provide a starting point for future ecological, experimental and taxonomic studies of ascidians of the Gulf of Mexico.

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Checklist Tue, 19 Mar 2019 11:42:29 +0200
The alien ascidian Styela clava now invading the Sea of Marmara (Tunicata: Ascidiacea) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/6836/ ZooKeys 563: 1-10

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.563.6836

Authors: Melih Ertan Çinar

Abstract: During the implementation of a large project aimed to investigate the benthic community structures of the Sea of Marmara, specimens of the invasive ascidian species Styela clava were collected on natural substrata (rocks) at 10 m depth at one locality (Karamürsel) in İzmit Bay. The specimens were mature, containing gametes, indicating that the species had become established in the area. The Sea of Marmara seems to provide suitable conditions for this species to survive and form proliferating populations.

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Research Article Mon, 15 Feb 2016 15:36:27 +0200
Photosymbiotic ascidians from Pari Island (Thousand Islands, Indonesia) https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/3945/ ZooKeys 422: 1-10

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.422.7431

Authors: Euichi Hirose, Budhi Hascaryo Iskandar, Yusli Wardiatno

Abstract: Photosymbiotic ascidian fauna were surveyed in the subtidal zone off Pari Island in the Thousand Islands (Java Sea, Indonesia). Nine species were recorded: Didemnum molle, Trididemnum miniatum, Lissoclinum patella, L. punctatum, L. timorense, Diplosoma gumavirens, D. simile, D. simileguwa, and D. virens. All of these species have been previously recorded in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. Diplosoma gumavirens and D. simileguwa were originally described from the Ryukyu Archipelago in 2009 and 2005, respectively, and all of the observed species are potentially widely distributed in Indo-West Pacific coral reefs.

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Checklist Mon, 30 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0300
Photosymbiotic ascidians in Singapore: turbid waters may reduce living space https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/3163/ ZooKeys 305: 55-65

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.305.4893

Authors: Shih-Wei Su, Euichi Hirose, Serina Lee Siew Chen, Michael Hin-Kiu Mok

Abstract: The photosymbiotic ascidian fauna at Changi Beach, Pulau Semakau, Sentosa and St. John’s Island, Singapore were surveyed. A total of five species, Diplosoma simile, Lissoclinum bistratum, L. punctatum, L. timorense and Trididemnum cyclops, were recorded, with L. timorense and T. cyclops being newly recorded in Singapore. However, no photosymbiotic species were found at Changi Beach probably due to the polluted waters in the region. Coastal development has caused Singapore waters to become turbid, leading to decrease in suitable habitats for photosymbiotic ascidians. Clean waters in Pulau Semakau probably provide a better environment for the growth of photosymbiotic ascidians and this area has a greater variety of these ascidians than the other areas in Singapore. Each of the five species has also been recorded in the Ryukyu Archipelago (Japan) and three species (Diplosoma simile, Lissoclinum bistratum and Trididemnum cyclops) have also been recorded in Taiwan.

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Checklist Thu, 30 May 2013 00:00:00 +0300