sea squirt; colonial tunicate
A sea squirt (ascidian) colony growing on a coral reef near Myanmar.
sea squirt
tunicate
Also known as: Ascidiacea, ascidian
sea squirt, any member of the invertebrate class Ascidiacea (subphylum Urochordata, also called Tunicata), marine animals with some primitive vertebrate features. Sea squirts are primarily sessile (permanently fixed to a surface), potato-shaped organisms found in all seas, from the intertidal zone to the greatest depths. They commonly reside on pier pilings, ships’ hulls, rocks, large seashells, and the backs of large crabs. Some species live individually; others live in groups or colonies. The body has...
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