Doliolum denticulatum

Taxon-Order: 

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Distribution: 
Pacific and Atlantic Oceans; Mediterranean Sea.
Habitat: 
0-100 m
Size: 
to 8 mm
Diet: 
Phytoplankton and other small cells.
Predators: 
Heteropods and narcomedusae.
Useful Facts or Characters: 

Their gonozooid (sexual generation) has 8 muscle bands and oozooid has 9 muscle bands.

Natural History: 

Doliolids are barrel-shaped, filter feeders with circular muscle bands that are complete (encircle the entire body).

References: 

Berner, L. (1967) Distributional atlas of Thaliacea in the California Current region. CalCOFI Atlas No. 8: 1-322.

Bone, Q. (1998) The biology of pelagic tunicates.  Oxford University Press, Oxford.