11 photos - 6 species
Introduction
Sea squirts are sessile tunicates that colonise
the world's oceans from the shelf to the deep sea.
With around 2000 species, they are the most species-rich group of tunicates.
Due to their ability to form a mantle and as internal micro-filters,
whereby they utilise the productivity of the free water body,
the sea squirts are one of the most successful animal groups.
Atriolum robustum
Robust sea squirt, Small Urn - ascidian
Maximum size: 1 - 3 cm
Maximum depth: 5 - 30 m
It is a colonial sea squirt.
Its green to brown colors are due to symbiotic unicellular algae Prochlorons.
These algae disappear with depth, so very white individuals can be found from about 20 m.
The tunic consists of tunicin, a substance similar to the cellulose of plants,
which is unique in the deep sea.
Bangka island North Sulawesi
Clavelina coerulea
Blue sea squirt
Maximum size: 1 - 2 cm
This species is one of the most beautiful sea squirts.
Their lifespan is short, but they reproduce quite quickly.
Moalboal Philippines
Clavelina robusta
Sea squirt, Stalked ascidian or Cat eye squirt
Maximum length: 3 cm
They resemble sponges, but react to touch, which sponges do not.
Live individually or in groups of several individuals.
Photo 1: Bali Indonesia
Photo 2: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi
Herdmania momus
Herdman's sea squirt, Giant pink ascidian, Red - lipped ascidian
Red throated ascidian
Maximum size: 5 - 20 cm
Maximum depth: 7 - 100 m
Opaque pink.
Found in warm seas worldwide.
They can be found among seagrass and inhabited reefs.
Banka island North Sulawesi
Polycarpa aurata
Goldmouth sea squirt or Ink-spot sea squirt
Maximum length: 10 cm
It has two openings.
When you take it out of the water, it contracts and sprays water.
Bali Indonesia
Pycnociavella diminuta
White - spotted sea squirt
Maximum size: 1.5 cm
Maximum depth: 5 - 20 m
It lives in colonies consisting of small clusters of zooids,
which extend from a common stalk.
Each zooid is about 0.5 - 1.5 cm long
and golden yellow - orange in color and have white spots.
These spots vary in shape and size, but are well defined
and evenly distributed throughout the colony.
Bangka island North Sulawesi