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Pelagic tunicates
Salpida
Bonaire, Red Beryl, 23-04-2017 (source: Rob Dekker)
Code
Summary
Transparent individuals that resemble a jet engine pod. Often joined in chains and other formations.
Characteristics
* Solitary form (Oozooid)
Cyclosalpinae
- Gut straight overlying the branchial bar,
- Light organs usually present,
- Muscles do not completely encircle the body.
Salpinae
- Gut usually bent into a more or less compact loop,
- Light organs always absent,
- Muscles completely encircle the body.
* Aggregate form (blastozooid)
Cyclosalpinae
- Gut forming either an extended tube or loose loop, never forming a compact nucleus,
- Light organs may be present,
- Muscles, four body muscles arranged asymmetrical or symmetrical.
Salpinae
- Gut always forming a more or less compact nucleus,
- Light organs always missing,
- Muscles, Four or more body muscles.
Habitat environment and ecology
Swim in open water by water-jet action.
Author
[Niels Schrieken, may 2017]
Literature
- Hereu, C. M., & Suarez-Morales, E. (2012). Checklist of the salps (Tunicata, Thaliacea) from the Western Caribbean Sea with a key for their identification and comments on other North Atlantic salps. Zootaxa, 3210, 50-60.
- Humann, P., & DeLoach, N. (2002). Reef Creature Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (p. 420). Jacksonville (FL): New World Publications
Commentaar
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