Mesochordaeus is a genus of oikopleurid larvacean, related to Bathochordaeus.[1]

Mesochordaeus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Tunicata
Class: Appendicularia
Order: Copelata
Family: Oikopleuridae
Subfamily: Bathochordaeinae
Genus: Mesochordaeus
Fenaux & Youngbluth, 1990
Species

Description

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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

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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

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  1. ^ 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.