Symplegma viride

, Symplegma viride
Water Type: Marine

Symplegma viride, commonly known as the green sea squirt, is a solitary tunicate belonging to the family Styelidae. This species is a fascinating example of marine life, showcasing unique adaptations and an intriguing life cycle.

Description & Characteristics

Symplegma viride is a small, solitary tunicate with a distinctive green color. Its body is typically cylindrical or ovoid, with a maximum size of about 5 centimeters. The tunic, a tough outer covering, is transparent and often encrusted with algae or other organisms. The siphon openings, through which the sea squirt filters water for food and respiration, are located at the opposite ends of the body. These openings are small and inconspicuous, giving the sea squirt a rather unassuming appearance.

Habitat and Occurrence

Symplegma viride is a common inhabitant of intertidal and subtidal zones, often found attached to rocks, shells, or other solid surfaces. They are typically found in shallow waters, with a depth range that extends from the low tide mark to about 50 meters. This species is often found in the infralittoral zone, the marine zone located between the lowest low tide and the depth of the water that receives enough light for photosynthesis. It is also found in the sublittoral zone, extending down to 200 meters, where light penetration is more limited. Symplegma viride is a widely distributed species, occurring along the Atlantic coast of North America, from Canada to Florida.

Taxonomy

Symplegma viride belongs to the class Ascidiacea, which is a group of marine invertebrates characterized by their sac-like bodies and filter-feeding lifestyle. This class is further divided into three orders, with Symplegma viride falling within the order Stolidobranchia. This order comprises tunicates that have a simple internal structure, lacking the complex circulatory systems found in other ascidian orders. Finally, Symplegma viride belongs to the family Styelidae, a diverse group of solitary ascidians known for their relatively large size and often brightly colored bodies.

Feeding

Symplegma viride, like most tunicates, is a filter feeder. It relies on a sophisticated system of siphons to draw in water and filter out food particles. The Symplegma viride siphons are located at opposite ends of its body. Water enters through the incurrent siphon, carrying plankton and other microscopic organisms. These particles are trapped in a mucous net within the pharynx, a specialized feeding structure, and then transported to the digestive tract. Waste products are then expelled through the excurrent siphon, completing the feeding cycle. Symplegma viride plays an important role in marine ecosystems by filtering large quantities of water and contributing to the flow of nutrients within the food web.

Associated Species

Image References

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