Van Soest, 1979
The ascidiozooids (Cyathozooid of P. verticillata, Pyrosomella verticillata 1) are arranged in strictly parallel rows or verticils throughout the life of the colony (Pyrosomella verticillata). Secondary ascidiozooids assembled near the open end of the colony, thus producing a distinct progression in size from the open end to the closed end of the colony. Pronouncedly protogynous, resulting in a zonation of small zooids with developed ova near the open end of the colony, and large zooids with developed testes near the closed end of the colony. Colonial wall entirely smooth.
Van Soest (1979, 1981), recognized two species: Pyrosomella verticillata and Pyrosomella operculata, and considered the genus Indo-Pacific in distribution. However, since Pyrosomella verticillata has been found south of South Africa, the genus is included in the present synopsis.