Didemnum psammatode

Didemnum psammatode
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Size: Colony size to 100+ cm

Distribution: Few SA records. Gulf St. Vincent and Spencer Gulf

Habitat: Rocky reef and jetty pylons

Depth: Lower intertidal to shallow subtidal

Didemnum psammatode

This compound ascidian forms large gelatinous mats, often on jetty pylons. Appearing as a sandy yellow to brown colour, the test is actually transparent. Its colour comes from the organism's faecal pellets that are embedded into the test instead of expelled. It is similar in appearance to many other didemnid ascidians, but can be distinguished on close examination by the presence of the spherical faecal pellets, which are significantly larger than the spicules that usually give compound ascidians their colour.