The Rosette Sea Squirt, scientifically known as Aplidium flavolineatum, is a colonial tunicate belonging to the family Polyclinidae. These sea squirts are filter feeders, meaning they extract food from the water, and are commonly found in various marine environments.
Description & Characteristics
The Rosette Sea Squirt, Aplidium flavolineatum, is characterized by its distinct rosette shape. Each colony can reach a size of up to 10 centimeters in diameter, with a bright orange or yellow color that gives it its name. The colony consists of numerous individual zooids, each of which is responsible for feeding and filtering water. These zooids are connected by a common tunic, a tough, leathery covering that protects the colony.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Rosette Sea Squirt, Aplidium flavolineatum, is a common resident of the intertidal zone and shallow subtidal regions. It can be found attached to rocks, seaweed, and other hard substrates. This species is often seen in the infralittoral zone, the region of the seafloor that is exposed to sunlight and influenced by tides. Aplidium flavolineatum thrives in a variety of marine environments, including rocky shores, kelp forests, and seagrass beds. Its adaptability allows it to flourish in both temperate and tropical waters.
Taxonomy
The species Aplidium flavolineatum is a member of the Class: Ascidiacea, Order: Aplousobranchia, and Family: Polyclinidae. The Ascidiacea, or sea squirts, are a diverse class of marine invertebrates known for their unique filter feeding mechanisms. The Order Aplousobranchia encompasses a wide range of colonial ascidians, including those with complex social behaviors. The Family Polyclinidae is a group of colonial ascidians that are characterized by their distinctive rosette-shaped colonies.
Feeding
The Rosette Sea Squirt, Aplidium flavolineatum, is a filter feeder, extracting food from the surrounding water. Each zooid within the colony has an incurrent siphon that draws water into a pharynx, which is lined with cilia. These cilia create a current that directs food particles, like plankton and organic matter, into the zooid’s digestive system. The filtered water is then expelled through an excurrent siphon. This efficient filtering process allows Aplidium flavolineatum to thrive in environments with rich water currents.
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