Herdman’s Sea Squirt, Giant Pink Ascidian, Red-lipped Ascidian, Red Throated Ascidian – Herdmania momus

, Herdman's Sea Squirt, Giant Pink Ascidian, Red-lipped Ascidian, Red Throated Ascidian, Herdmania momus

The Herdman’s Sea Squirt, Giant Pink Ascidian, Red-lipped Ascidian, Red Throated Ascidian, scientifically known as Herdmania momus, is a fascinating marine invertebrate belonging to the tunicate family. These sea squirts are commonly found attached to various hard surfaces, including rocks, jetties, sea bridges, and even ship hulls. They are a vital part of the marine ecosystem, playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling and providing a habitat for other marine life.

Description & Characteristics

The Herdmania momus can grow to a substantial size, reaching up to 30 cm in length. Its distinctive pink or reddish coloration, along with its prominent red lip-like structures, gives it a striking appearance. The sea squirt’s body is typically elongated and cylindrical, with two openings or siphons. The incurrent siphon draws in water and food, while the excurrent siphon expels waste. The Herdmania momus is often found in large colonies, covering extensive areas of the seabed.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Herdmania momus is a common sight in the subtidal and sublittoral zones, particularly in the neritic zone, extending from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at around 200 meters depth. These sea squirts thrive in a variety of habitats, including rocky shores, mangrove zones, and areas with abundant hard substrates like bollards, jetties, and port facilities. Their adaptability allows them to colonize a diverse range of marine environments, from shallow coastal areas to deeper, more open waters.

Taxonomy

The species Herdmania momus belongs to the Class: Ascidiacea, Order: Stolidobranchia, and Family: Pyuridae. This classification places them within a larger group of tunicates, characterized by their unique sac-like body structure and filter-feeding mechanisms.

Feeding

The Herdmania momus is a filter feeder, relying on a continuous flow of water to capture its food. It uses its incurrent siphon to draw in water, which carries a diverse mix of microscopic organisms, including plankton, zooplankton, and invertebrates. These food particles are trapped in a mucus-like substance lining the sea squirt’s pharynx, and then transported to its digestive system.

Associated Species

Image References

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