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The ascidian (subphylum Tunicata: class Ascidiacea) fauna along the southern African
coast constitutes an important component of the sessile benthic reef fauna. Little
is known of the species composition, biodiversity and distribution of ascidians
on southern African intertidal and subtidal reefs. Past research on the ascidian
fauna of South Africa was sporadic and limited, with only about one hundred and
seventy species recorded during the last one hundred and twenty years. This is the
first taxonomic study undertaken by a South African resident scientist. The study
focused on six genera in four families (Euherdmaniidae, Polyclinidae, Pseudodistomidae
and Didemnidae) belonging to the class Ascidiacea and suborder Aplousobranchia.
Five species new to science, two Polyclinum, two Pseudodistoma and
one Polysyncraton species are described. New additional information on the
distribution of five species previously known to science, including one recorded
for the first time along the South African coast, is presented. A literature review
and comparison of the taxonomic important characteristics is made of all species
known globally for the six genera. These six genera comprise twelve Euherdmania,
fifteen Aplidiopsis, forty Polyclinum thirty-one Pseudodistoma,
six Atriolum and sixty-eight Polysyncraton species.
Keywords: Euherdmania, Aplidiopsis, Polyclinum, Pseudodistoma, Atriolum,
Polysyncraton, southern Africa, distribution, ascidian, taxonomy
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