Fróðskaparrit - 01.01.2006, Qupperneq 165

STAKIR SJÓBJØLGAR (TUNICATA, ASCIDIACEA
OG SORBERACEA) VIÐ FØROYAR
163
d O S v-—
Figure 43. BIOFAR records of M. complanata • and E. islandica o.
BIOFAR water mass: AW/Al.
North Atlantic/Nordic Seas distribution: Lofoten and
North Cape in Norway (Monniot and Monniot, 1979);
north western coast of Norway; west of Wyville-
Thomson Ridgc(typc locality)(Millar, 1966); south-
west of the Faroes; possibly Svalbard (Árnback-
Christie-Linde, 1928).
General distribution: As above.
General depth range: In deep water to 1260 m (Millar,
1966); possible record from 18 m (Ámback-Christie-
Linde, 1928).
Remarks: The tentacles of this species are characteris-
tic: The 24 tentacles are 12 double feather-formed
and very large, and the intermediate piece between
them forms a nice curve. The finest branches of the
tentacles constitute small ftnger-formed series. See
Bjerkan (1905) for good description and illustration.
The closest relatives of M. herdmani are probably
M. romeri Hartmeyer, 1903 and M. kiaeri Hartmcyer,
1901, having different shapes of the dorsal laminas
as the most important distinguishing character, aparl
from the tentacles. I find M. herdmani a potential
member of thc Roscovita clade.
The species is viviparous, but it is not known whether
the larvae arc anural or urodele.
The identification of the single specimen is confinned
by Francoise Monniot.
Molgula mira (Ámbáck, 1931)
Good descriptions: Monniot and Klitgaard, 1994; Árn-
back-Christie-Linde, 1931.
Previous records: None.
BIOFAR stations (numberof individuals in parentheses):
474(1); 901(4).
BIOFAR area: South east ofthe Faroes (south off Munka-
grunninum, and the Faroe-Shetland Channel) (Fig.
45).
BIOFAR depth range: 241-246 m.
BIOFAR tcmperatures: Estimated 7.1 °C (stn.474).
BIOFAR water mass: NW/AW.
North Atlantic/Nordic Seas distribution: Trondhjem Fjord
and southeast of the Faroes (Monniot and Klitgaard,
1994).
General distribution: M. mira is only recorded southeast
of the Faroes (south of Munkagrunninum and in the
Faroe Shetland Channel) and in the Trondhjem Fjord