|
| Related FAQs:
TWA Invertebrates, Fishes of the Tropical
West Atlantic, Tropical West Atlantic 2,
Related Articles: Algae, Vascular Plants,
Introduction to Fishwatcher's Guide Series Pieces/Sections,
Lachnolaimus maxiumus/Hogfish,
Hogfishes of the Genus Bodianus,
Invertebrates, Algae and Vascular Plants of The Tropical West
Atlantic: Bahamas to Brazil, Part 13 To:
Part 1, Part 2,
Part 3, Part 4,
Part 5, Part 6,
Part 7, Part 8,
Part 9, Part 10,
Part 11, Part 12,
Part 14, Part 15, |
| | Bob Fenner |
Tunicates |
Tunicates, Sea Squirts:
Grouped within the same phylum in zoological classification as the
vertebrates are a couple of other subphyla of interest to marine
aquarists. The Urochordata don't look much like fishes, birds, mammals,
lacking a backbone, but do share four other important characteristics
with them. During larval development they possess a tail, a dorsal nerve
cord, a dorsal (non-bone) stiffening structure (the notochord), and
pharyngeal gill clefts. These "lower" chordates
are variously called tunicates (for their cellulose matter that makes up
their body covering), Sea Squirts (for their apparent and real capacity
to forcibly eject water) and Ascidians (Greek for "little body") for the
Class of attached forms. There are pelagic tunicates, grouped in the
Class Thalicea, but these are of little interest to aquarists. |
A thaliacean "Salp". The (Class) Thaliacea include about seventy
barrel-shaped pelagic animals that filter feed (like all
urochordates), but from one end opening to the other exiting as they
locomote through the water. This Class is further subdivided into
three subclasses. The Pyrosomida are colonial and the Salpida and
Doliolida are not. | 
|
The Ascidians on the other hand are a major part of the "cryptic fauna"
of live rock... often making up a sizeable proportion of this
material (second only to sponges). Though they may not be easily
recognized, tunicates are among the most common marine invertebrates,
and an important functional component, for aquarists as well. |
Clavelina sp. Bulb Tunicates. Grow in clusters. These ones
common in Florida, Bahamas, the Caribbean. Here attached to a clam
which is in turn attached to a gorgonian. | 
|
|
Clavelina picta, the Painted Tunicate. Florida, Bahamas,
Caribbean. Frequently found in clusters of hundreds of individuals
hanging on to gorgonians, black coral, sponges. Translucent bodies
of variable cool colors. Siphon rims reddish to dark purple. A
colony in the Bahamas on a Sea Fan, and one off St. Thomas. |  
|
|
Distaplia corolla, Button Tunicate. Small (1/4" or less) oval
individuals with one larger outflowing opening. Generally grow in
small clusters as these are in Cozumel. Tropical West Atlantic.
Found growing on dead coral. Orange or purple in color. | 
|
|
Trididemum solidum, the Overgrowing Mat Tunicate. 3-12 inches.
Tropical West Atlantic. Small individuals embedded into a heavy
communal mass. Gray, blue, green or white. Cozumel images by Di. |  
|
To: Part 1, Part 2,
Part 3, Part 4, Part
5, Part 6, Part 7,
Part 8, Part 9,
Part 10, Part 11,
Part 12, Part 14,
Part 15,
|
|
