Eriocheir sinensis

This species is a social ascidian, with individual zooids connected basally by stolons. Together, zooids and stolons often form a dense mass similar to a tiny bunch of grapes. Individual zooids are globular in shape, measure 2-4 mm in diameter, and covered by a pale green tunic. Stolons are characterized by distinct, star-shaped flattened terminal buds, yellow in color.

This species is a social ascidian, with closely packed, individual zooids connected basally by stolons. Together, these zooids form a dense colony that can reach 15 cm in diameter. Individual zooids are subcylindrical in shape and measure 1-2 cm in height. The oral and atrial siphons are positioned anteriorly; each aperture is composed of four lobes, with two black bands per lobe. Zooids are pale brown or yellow-green in color; tunic is thin and leathery. See Brunetti & Mastrototaro, 2004 for more detailed description.

This demosponge species forms thin encrusting sheets, measuring up to 2 mm in thickness. The skeleton is composed of densely packed, siliceous spicules, positioned upright. Spicule type includes megascleres (tylostyles) only, measuring on average up to 925 mm in length (but with multiple size classes that range 175-925 mm). Color variants include gold, hazel, yellowish-brown, and olive-brown. For complete description, see Lee et al., 2007.

Perophora japonica has been introduced to the Northeast Pacific, and was discovered initially in northern California. This species also has been collected from other locations around the world, including Great Britain, northern Europe, and eastern Russia (Lambert 2005). Its native geographical distribution includes Japan and Korea.

Polyandrocarpa zorritensis has been introduced to the Northeast Pacific, with confirmed records in southern California. In addition, this species has been reported from several other locations around the world, including parts of the Caribbean, Europe, the Mediterranean, and Japan. Its native geographical range likely includes the Eastern Pacific; the species was initially described from Peru (Van Name, 1931).

Prosuberites sp. has been introduced to the Northeast Pacific, with confirmed records in central California. This species is likely native to the Northeast Atlantic.

Marine; bays; low intertidal

In the Northeast Pacific, Perophora japonica is most similar to P. annectens Ritter, 1893.

In the Northeast Pacific, Prosuberites sp. is most similar to other encrusting sponges, particularly Suberites sp. Hartman, 1975.