| Eudistoma | |
|---|---|
_(8478477354).jpg) | |
| Eudistoma reginum | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Tunicata |
| Class: | Ascidiacea |
| Order: | Aplousobranchia |
| Family: | Polycitoridae |
| Genus: | Eudistoma Maurice Caullery, 1909 |
Eudistoma is a genus ofsea squirts belonging to the familyPolycitoridae. It was first described in 1909 byMaurice Caullery. Originally it was thought to be a subgenus ofDistoma.[1]Eudistoma is the most species-rich genus in the familyPolycitoridae, with 124 valid species as of 2014. They are found in tropical and temperate waters; some species are also found in the Antarctic and subtropical area.[2]
In 1909 Caullery describedEudistoma as a subgenus ofDistoma due to the rows of stigmata in thepharynx. In 1917Ritter and Forsyth described it as a separate genus without explanation. Three subsequent papers published in 1919, 1921 and 1942 all considered it to be a subgenus ofPolycitor.Eudistoma was finally considered a valid genus in 1945 due to "the three rows ofpharyngeal slits, long esophagus, flat stomach in the posterior region of the abdomen, very conspicuous longitudinal muscles extending from the pharynx to the end of the abdomen and larvae that are incubated in the atrial cavity." Identification of species within the genus has been difficult at times due to the wide variety in shape and colour.[2]
Biologically activealkaloids have been isolated from a number of species ofEudistoma, some of which have been studied for theircytotoxic properties. A number of these substances have been grouped under the nameeudistomin, though they are not only found inEudistoma species. They are being investigated for their possible use as antibiotics and anti-cancer agents.[3]
Pibocin B is analkaloid isolated from anascidian in the genusEudistoma.[4][5]
Data related toEudistoma at Wikispecies
