Mesochordaeus is a genus of oikopleurid larvacean, related to Bathochordaeus.[1]
| Mesochordaeus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Tunicata |
| Class: | Appendicularia |
| Order: | Copelata |
| Family: | Oikopleuridae |
| Subfamily: | Bathochordaeinae |
| Genus: | Mesochordaeus Fenaux & Youngbluth, 1990 |
| Species | |
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Description edit
Mesochordaeus is a comparatively large larvacean, with a tail length reaching up to 50 mm (2.0 in). The genus is characterized by its large spiracles.
Distribution edit
Two species are known. Mesochordaeus bahamasi has been reported in the Atlantic Ocean near the Bahamas, while Mesochordaeus erythrocephalus has been found in Monterey Bay, California, sharing this habitat with its relative Bathochordaeus.
References edit
- ^ Hopcroft, Russell R.; Robison, Bruce H. (1999). "A new mesopelagic larvacean, Mesochordaeus erythrocephalus, sp. nov., from Monterey Bay, with a description of its filtering house". Journal of Plankton Research. 21 (10): 1923–1937.
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