Observations by peabodysherman

On surface of Intertidal rocks (rip-rap shoreline) Marine Green Algae (seaweed)

tentative ID. Clumped growth, short blades, strong green color, exposed growth on rock surface suggestive of Ulva californica

Social tunicate collected from fouling community, floating platform, Boat Channel, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego, California, photographed in unfiltered and filtered bay water with film (ASA 200).

Identified months later (27 Apr 2014) - PROVISIONAL IDENTIFICATION - Request review by tunicate specialists as I am not a tunicate specialist. "Internet picture taxonomy" and known marine ecological studies in San Diego Bay provide the basis of this provisional identification

The following description include my observations following study of photos and knowledge of Internet information.

Individual zooids clumped in a social colony resembling a tight bouquet. Zooids joined at the base by a narrowing stalk and leading to root-like structure - bundled stolons. Zooids opaque, body appears smooth, and mostly free of debris and other marine organisms. Individual zooids ranging from globular (which might the defensive contraction) to vase to club-shaped with short stubby siphons directed away from each other at a short angle from distal. The almost equal-sized oral and atrial siphons, show four dark (almost black) vertical stripes separating four white lobes. The white appears more like the white in pastry glaze - broken and in varied concentrations. The white on each lobe appears T-shaped with the "wings" of the "T" pressing into the adjacent black striping and pinching off the width of the black stripes at each siphon rim's edge. Very difficult to see, two very faint black lines extend proximal in parallel from the rim on the upper part middle of the white "T". Dissecting scope micrographs needed to visualize the detail better. The distribution of exterior white extending from siphon rim seem to stop on the lower portion of the siphon, and meeting the olive coloration of the zooid body extending up the siphon. The extent of black stripe also stops upon meeting the olive extending onto the siphon with some black striping slightly further proximal down the siphon than the white stripes of the siphon. On siphons extended by the living relaxed tunicate, the alternating black and white extend into the rims of the siphons The V-shaped "cleft" between adjoined atrial and oral siphons not deep, both joining to the body with some of the cleft indentation extending further down the body of the zooid like the "cheeks of a human buttocks." On extended siphons, the alternating white and black coloration on each siphon seem to stop before the cleft and zooid body junction. Each extended siphon seen to possess a zone or "neck" of olive before joining to the main zooid body. Siphon openings appears circular to square shaped, between 1 to 2m in diameter. Below the siphons, coloration of the distal half of the zooid outer tunic olive-brown in color gradually changing to yellow-green towards the taping basal stalk

Second and third photo was taken on 2 May 2014 from same location. Unknown annelid worm parchment tube with three attached individual tunicates separated spatially. Photos of individuals on worm tube depict attachment by basal stolons. Globular body shape might result from a freedom to spread laterally when not clustered tightly in a social colony. Two tunicates were removed off the worm tube to show some detail of individual tunicates.

Note: The alternating black and white striping limited to the tips of short, stubby almost equal-sized oral and atrial siphons directed at a short angle away from each other, the olive-green-brown vase like body, the clustering of the zooids in a tight social colony with each individuals free except for the basal attachment of root-like stolons might be distinctive characteristics for tentative field identification.

Introduced species - occurs worldwide, introduction likely by ballast and fouling community on boats, noted from several locations in San Diego Bay and nearby Mission Bay in other studies. Flickr photograph by Jay Vavra of specimen collected at Grape Street Pier San Diego, San Diego Bay. Unusual photograph of colony encased in unknown mucus-like substance or water collected tightly around the specimen when collected tunicate photographed in air. The siphons closed tight and zooid bodies retracted and rounded. Photograph does show alternating black and white on short stubby siphons with siphons located near distal and directed at a short angle away from each other, brown coloration and the basal stolons. Light might be distorted due to exposure in bright sunlight.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43973579@N08/4943592318

I was initially confused viewing the great variability among posted Internet photos labeled as P. zorritensis. Some posted Internet photographs from around the world appear NOT to match the original description by Willard G. Van Name(1931), ascidian taxonomist with the American Museum of Natural History. Van Name originally described the organism as Stolonica zorritensis in 1931, unfortunately Van Name did not collect the type specimen from the type locality at Zorritos, Peru. Field notes especially of appearance of living specimens and ecology NOT included in Van Name's original description. A pen and ink? black and white drawing (fig 6C) depicted portion of the a colony, stalked zooids with stolons at the base, and short stubby siphons directed distally.Van Name's description of internal anatomy quite detailed. Unfortunately Van Name original description did not described any external color distribution of preserved specimens. Later in 1945 an update entitled "The North and South American Ascidians", Van Name moved genus Stolonica into genus Polyandrocarpa based on internal anatomy of the testes. Still no mention by Van Name of color or ecology in the 1945 update. I understand color in preserved museum specimens may be altered. Yet, field biologist rely on color presents clues to make tentative field identification. Color distribution and ecology must be noted in field notes by people collecting and studying living P. zorritensis specimens. In addition, field and lab photography of living specimens plays a great role. Tunicates must be photographed in water in order to show relaxed siphons and body.

Current Internet-posted photos display varying morphology, and color patterns on photos identified as P. zorritensis. Some photos likely misidentified. Internet research revealed genus Polyandrocarpa contains a number of named species, and the Polyandrocarpa zorritensis complex likely contains population variants. For instance, an Italian photograph of Mediterranean collected Polyandrocarpo zorritensis showed zooids with up to eight black strips, the siphon tips somewhat crenulated and slightly flaired, white on the siphon lobes not as bright, and a red coloration the zooid tests.

http://www.marinealien.sinanet.isprambiente.it/uploads/Polyandrocarpa%20zorritensis.pdf

Another Internet photo of Mediterranean P. zorritensis showing a close-up of zooids bearing numerous orange flecks (photo 2). Orange flecks not seen in observed San Diego specimens.

http://www.naturamediterraneo.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=215441

Clarification of the genus Polyandrocarpa greatly needed. West coast tunicates still poorly known. Introduction of the now commonly found P. zorritensis to the west coast of North America seems to be a relatively recent. Lambert and Lambert (1998) first reported the species from Southern California harbors in the late 1990's. Field guides and taxonomic keys published in the 1990s and earlier do not include the now commonly found P. zorritensis in listings and identification keys. Currently,websites devoted to marine invertebrate introductions show limited reporting for P. zorritensis on the west coast of North America. Marine photographers at the moment passing up photographing the introduced small brown colonial tunicate.

Internet-shared photos along with field notes of living P. zorritensis greatly needed for comparative study, and to clearly photo document varying morphology and the true nature of its recent introduction both on the west coast and around the world. -

Request a photographic comparison via the Internet of living and relaxed, identified Polyandrocarpa zorritensis from all parts of the world. Photograph sites like iNaturalist.org could function as a clearing house for storage and comparison of posted photos.

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PROVISIONAL IDENTIFICATION - Unclear if I am correct with identification since I am not a sponge expert.

REQUEST INTERESTED RESEARCHERS TO CORROBORATE/CONFIRM, AND CONTRIBUTE PERTINENT DATA AND COMMENTS. California sponges poorly known as a group. Identification based on dated marine biological/ecological studies.

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Aiolochroia thiona, formerly known as Verongia thiona - commonly called Yellow Sponge, Keratose Sponge,

Specimen collected as an epibiont from fouling community, on floating fishing dock, Boat Channel, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego, California

The specimens formed thick encrustations on small Ostrea oysters and other members of the fouling community attached to the floating fishing dock. The species was spotted as sunlight penetrated the water and lit up the dock fouling community, and was collected by hand on two separate trips.

Note the distinctive spine-like structures called conules projecting around the sponge body. The photos display many conules densely spaced together. The conules appear triangular-shaped, with a sharp tip pointed outward. Adjacent conules were joined by a connecting thin sponge tissue, and presented as an U-shaped membranous ridge connecting adjacent conules.

One circular osculum (opening for excurrent filtered water) was seen in collected individuals. There seems to be a membranous transparent collar which encircles the opening of the osculum. Osculum was seen contracting as the organism was disturbed by movement. Osculum slowly opened again. On close examination, a reticulated pattern on the sponge body surface faintly seen between the conules.

First time in the field (5 Oct 2013) with the sponge, I noted and photographed the yellow sponge turning violet-purple upon presumed death (fifth photo). I went home and researched the biology. The second time (17 Oct 2013) in the field, I collected a colony and deliberately killed the sponge with isopropyl alcohol, and noted the conversion within thirty minutes from sulfur-yellow to purple-black - a diagnostic characteristic noted by California sponge expert De Laubenfels in 1932. The third photograph depicts a living specimen placed next to a newly killed specimen. Note the color change to dark purple, and some of the conules have lost some of U-shaped membranous tissue resulting in remainder of the conule appearing more sharply needle-shaped. Internet research revealed color change in sponge described as "aerophobic."

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Initially identified to iNaturalist as sulfur sponge Aplysilla sulfurea. Further checking revealed initial identification not being correct. Descriptive information stated the oscula in Aplysilla sulfurea were located on chimneys which was not seen in San Diego specimens. I studied my earlier photographs taken with grainy 400 ISO film. I went back to collection site with 200 ISO film and a greater knowledge of field characteristics the group of sponges under study. Isopropyl alchohol to study the color change upon death of yellow sponge. I have edited out in iNaturalist previous information on Aplysilla sulfurea to Aiolochroia thiona including replacement of substandard iNaturalist photos to better ones. I retained one photo taken on 5 October 2013 to show the color change in a specimen undergoing death. Literature state cellular granules released upon death to change the yellow coloration to purple.

Aiolochroia thiona, formerly Verongia thiona. Identification reliant on 1932 description by De Laubenfels - The Marine and Fresh-water Sponges of California [available from the Internet] for Verongia thiona. Much of the descriptive detail including the living yellow sponge converting from "yellow to very dark blue or purple upon drying" was observed. De Laubenfels stated in 1932 - "I know of no other local form from which it may not easily be distinguished by its tendency (very common in this genus) to change from yellow to very dark blue or purple upon drying." A notable deviation from the description was the conule (spikey sponge tissue) density. De Laubenbels described the"surface, superficially smooth with conules 0.5 mm high, irregularly scattered." My photographs show the collected specimen presented with very dense conules packing providing the sponge with a spikey appearance. De Laubenbels stated "Verongia thiona is moderately common, at times at least, in the intertidal areas of southern California." The type location for Verongia thiona is Laguna Beach, just north of San Diego.

Amazingly, Internet searches for key words "Aiolochroia thiona", "Verongia thiona", "yellow sponge California", and "keratose sponge California" do not bring up images matching my photos. The collected sponge is quite photogenic as a bright sulfur yellow sponge with many spikey projections (conules) projecting from the body, and grows thickly upright from encrustations. Is it possible marine biologists and divers along the Southern California/Baja California Pacific Coast, have missed collecting or photographing a brightly yellow photogenic sponge bearing spikey projections - and a species that undergoes a dramatic color change yellow to black-purple upon death? Possible, but not probable. The Southern California/Baja California Mexican Pacific Coast region including San Diego Bay over time been the subject to a multitude of marine environmental studies. I also reflect on the the great west coast sponge expert De Laubenfels above statement of the sponge's "moderately-common" distribution. Since De Laubenfels 1932 publication for California sponges contains matches to my observations except for the surface conule density and distribution, I elected to use the description and marine ecological distribution to identify the collected specimens. The description is supported by two other marine ecological references.

Richard K. Allen 1990 Common Intertidal Invertebrates of Southern California - Revised edition states "the sulphur sponge (Verongia thiona) is yellow and colonies grow in clusters to 25 cm in diameter. It is restricted to southern California in the low-tide zone of back bay mud flats. Specimens have been observed at upper Newport Bay, Dana Point, and from rocks and scaled worm-shell colonies at Corona del Mar." The collection site for my specimens is located in a rather obscure location near the back end of an artificially created channel connected to San Diego Bay. The banks adjacent to the collection site are lined with rip-rap rocks, however, low tide exposes a mud-sand shore. The vague identification key describes the "colony with a course texture; colony bright yellow." Unfortunate the reference does not show a figure of Verongia thiona. A figure or photo might have been helpful.

A small pamphlet by Wesley Farmer 1964 One Hundred Common Marine Animals of San Diego - Occasional Papers of the San Diego Society of Natural History, Number 14. "Verongia thiona. Sulphur sponges can grow to about 7 or 8 inches in diameter. The animal is yellow, with occasional brown color on its surface, and has a sulfur-like odor. Local distribution: On the undersides of rocks in the low tide zone of the rocky coast." Figure four depicts a poorly drawn image of the sponge, a few jagged lines could be conules. I have not noted a sulfur smell from my collected specimens from a floating dock. As a field biologist, I know marine animals can acquire the (hydrogen?) sulfur-smell by being contaminated with black mud.

Similar-appearing California-found Aplysilla glacialis stated as having a rare yellow form. Records are spotty and/or suspect. I have yet to find a photograph showing a yellow Pacific Coast of North America Aplysilla glacialis - all Interent and book photos I have seen show salmon to coral-colored specimens. I hope a future researcher verifies if the A. glacialis sponge is reported to possess two color variations, and why. I suspect an unknown yellow sponge may be misidentified as A. glacialis. Pacific coast sponges are largely unknown as a group. California sponges need in-depth systematic research including genetic research to clarify their biology.

Other possibilities include an introduced species new to California or a new species to science. (Introduced and new species possible, but unlikely in the intensely studied Southern California/Baja California Mexican marine biological region). If the species is an introduction the best candidate is Aplysilla longispina from the Southeast coast of North America. Other candidates include members of genus Darwinella sp. and Subera sp. - both genera known to change from sulfur-yellow to dark purple to black. However, both sponge genera described from other parts of the world, and not California.

Zostera? marina, eelgrass

low tide - exposed mud-sand flat with mixed Zostera marina- Zoobotryon verticillatum (sphagetti bryozoan) community, I was somewhat surprised to see eelgrass in the back reaches of the artificially created and polluted "Boat Channel", San Diego

photographs shows the beginning edge of the eelgrass patch.

I am unclear if San Diego bay records are truly Zostera marina, as the systematics and ecology of Pacific west coast Zostera seem very confused - the issue made even more so with the confounding west coast introduction of Zostera japonica. I grew up in Northern California, and knew Zostera marina from multiple visits to the Northern California shore. The organism commonly called Zostera marina from San Diego Bay does not resemble the Zostera marina species from San Francisco Bay, and other nearby Northern California bays. As a question at a seminar, I inquired about the dissimilarity with an eelgrass expert, and did not obtain a clear cut answer.

While I will call the eelgrass species Zostera marina based on multiple, existing San Diego Bay records, I am unsure of the San Diego Bay eelgrass identification until I gain clarification.