About Ascidia mentula Müller, 1776
Ascidia mentula has a tough, leathery outer envelope called a tunic, which is partially made of cellulose. This translucent tunic surrounds a fluid-filled body that has irregular bulges, along with two unnoticeable siphons. This species reaches 5 to 18 cm (2 to 7 inches) in height, and has a bottle or flask shape. The oral (inlet) siphon is located at the tip of the body, while the six-lobed atrial siphon sits between half and two thirds of the way down the body. The oral siphon has six to eight white-tipped lobes, and is surrounded by up to 100 branchial tentacles. Ascidia mentula is usually colored red, pink, or sometimes olive green, and may appear grey when found in deep water. It typically attaches to its substrate by the side of its body opposite the atrial siphon. This species is native to the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, with a range that extends from Norway southward to the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea. It grows on rocky substrates at depths from the subtidal zone down to 200 meters (660 feet). It prefers crevices and shady gullies, and sometimes attaches to Laminaria holdfasts, stones, and shells.
