Mesochordaeus

Mesochordaeus is a genus of oikopleurid larvacean, related to Bathochordaeus.^[1]

Mesochordaeus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Tunicata
Class:	Appendicularia
Order:	Copelata
Family:	Oikopleuridae
Subfamily:	Bathochordaeinae
Genus:	Mesochordaeus Fenaux & Youngbluth, 1990
Species
Mesochordaeus bahamasi Fenaux & Youngbluth, 1990 Mesochordaeus erythrocephalus Hopcroft & Robison, 1997

Description

Mesochordaeus is a comparatively large larvacean, with a tail length reaching up to 50 mm (2.0 in). The genus is characterized by its large spiracles.

Distribution

Two species are known. Mesochordaeus bahamasi has been reported in the Atlantic Ocean near the Bahamas, while Mesochordaeus erythrocephalus has been found in Monterey Bay, California, sharing this habitat with its relative Bathochordaeus.