Tunicate

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Tunicates
Sea Tulips, Pyura spinifera
Sea Tulips, Pyura spinifera
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Urochordata
Giribet et al., 2000
Classes

Ascidiacea (2,300 species)
Thaliacea
Appendicularia
Sorberacea

Tunicates (called Tunicata or urochordates, also called Sea squirts) is a subphylum of chordates. They are filter feeders. They are called tunicates because the adult form is covered by a leathery structure that can be thought of as a tunic. This tunic supports the animal so that it can stay upright in the water. Most of them look like a sack. Chemical substances which might help fight diseases like cancer or various viruses have been found in some species.

Scientists have also found out that some species can heal some damage done to them, over several generations. A similar process might be possible for humans.[1]

Description

The sea squirt has two openings in its small body.[2] One opening sucks water into the animal, and its called the oral siphon; the other opening squirts water out of the animal, and its called the atrial siphon. Inside is a little basket-like sieve that traps food: so, these sea squirts are filter feeders. Sea squirts can draw up the holes in its siphons, like a drawstring can close the opening in a bag.[2] If a sea squirt was picked up and squeezed, water would squirt out (because of this it was named the sea squirt).

When it is in its larval state, it looks like a tadpole and is sometimes called a tadpole larva. Like many sea creatures, a sea squirt larva looks very different from an adult sea squirt. The larva swims for a short time and then attaches itself to something on the sea floor, like a rock, transforming into its adult form. He usually stays in one place the rest of its life.[2]

References

Wikispecies-logo.svg
Look up Urochordata in Wikispecies, a directory of species
  • Dennis. 2003. pers. comm. Marine Science Dept. Orange Coast College.
  • Solomon, E., L. Berg, D. Martin. 2002. Biology. Brooks/Cole.
  1. ↑ Sea Squirt, Heal Thyself: Scientists Make Major Breakthrough In Regenerative Medicine
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Fulbright, Jeannie K. (2006). Exploring Creation with Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day. 1106 Meridian Plaza, Suite 220, Anderson, IN 46016: Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc.. ISBN 1-932012-73-7. 
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