| Microcosmus sabatieri | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Microcosmus sabatieri | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Tunicata |
| Class: | Ascidiacea |
| Order: | Stolidobranchia |
| Family: | Pyuridae |
| Genus: | Microcosmus |
| Species: | M. sabatieri |
| Binomial name | |
| Microcosmus sabatieri (Roule, 1885) | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Microcosmus sabatieri,commonly called thegrooved sea squirt,[2]sea fig,[3] orviolet,[3] is a species oftunicates (sea squirts). The species has a rocky-shape appearance. It is mainly found in theMediterranean Sea.[4] It is used as food in parts ofEurope.[2]
Three species of Microcosmus are edible presently, M. sabatieri, M. vulgaris, and M. polymorphus (Vafidis 2008).[citation needed] In theMediterranean Basin, it is eaten raw, often with an acidic condiment such aslemon juice orvinegar withshallots.[citation needed] It has a strongiodine taste which not all appreciate.[citation needed]
Thespecific epithetsabatieri is in honor of zoologistArmand Sabatier.[3] The name 'violet' is from the distinguishingviolet stripes on thesiphon.[3]
The species has many common names. InDutch it isviolet-zakpijp (lit.violet pocket-pipe)[2] orbegroeide zakpijp (overgrown pocket-pipe).[3] InFrench it'sviolet,[2][3]figue de mer (lit.sea fig),[3] and inMarseille,patate de mer (lit.sea potato),[3] orvioulé.[3] InNorthern Catalonia it's calledbijú orbijut (jewel)[3] and in thePrincipalitybunyol orou de mar (sea fritter orsea egg).[5] InGerman the common term isSeefeige (lit.sea fig)[2] oreßbare Seescheide (edible sea sheath).[3] It isΦούσκα (foúska, lit.bubble orpuff) inGreek.[4] InItalian,limone di mare (sea lemon) oruova di mare (sea egg) are used.[3] Names inSpanish includeprovecho (profit),patatas de mar (sea potatoes), andbuñuelo de mar (sea fritter).[3] InLigurian it can be calledstronsci de mä (sea turds).[3] InMorocco, in bothMoroccan Darija andBerber, it's calledfezḍāḍ (فزضاض) orafezḍāḍ (ⴰⴼⴻⵣⴹⴰⴹ,أفزضاض).[6]
Other names it is sold under include:
Note that plants of the genusCarpobrotus are also known as 'sea figs'.[7]
Microcosmus sabatieri violet-zakpijp violet Seefeige grooved sea squirt
Vernaculars (-) Greek: Φούσκα
