Pycnoclavella Belizeana, a New Species of Ascidian from the Caribbean

Pycnoclavella belizeana new species is described from mangrove lagoons on the Barrier Reef in Belize, Central America. The species is characterised by its small size, simple branchial sac with only three rows of stigmata, and white or orange pigment in the thorax. The last and sometimes the first row of stigmata may be deflected along the dorsal mid line of the thorax. Deflection of the stigmata is probably due to reduction in the size of the branchial sac and a need to fold the posterior and anterior rows of stigmata during contraction. P. belizeana is probably more closely related to P. stanleyi from the California coast than it is to P. minuta from West Africa.