Synoicum sacculum

, Synoicum sacculum, Synoicum sacculum
Water Type: Marine

Synoicum sacculum is a species of colonial tunicate belonging to the family Polyclinidae. These colonial ascidians form clusters of small individuals, known as zooids, enclosed within a common tunic. They are commonly found in a variety of marine environments, particularly in the intertidal zone and shallow subtidal regions.

Description & Characteristics

The colonies of Synoicum sacculum are typically small, reaching a maximum size of a few centimeters. They are characterized by their fleshy, gelatinous appearance and often have a bright orange or yellow coloration. Each zooid within the colony is relatively small, measuring only a few millimeters in length. They possess a distinctive siphon structure, with two openings: an incurrent siphon for drawing in water and an excurrent siphon for expelling it. The colonial tunic, which encloses the zooids, is often covered with small, spiny projections that give it a rough texture.

Habitat and Occurrence

Synoicum sacculum is a common inhabitant of intertidal and shallow subtidal environments. These tunicates are found in a wide range of marine zones, including the infralittoral fringe and the circalittoral zone. They are often associated with rocky substrates, kelp forests, and other marine habitats. Synoicum sacculum has a wide geographic distribution, occurring in the North Atlantic Ocean, the North Pacific Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Taxonomy

Synoicum sacculum belongs to the Class Ascidiacea, a group of filter-feeding marine invertebrates. Within this class, it is placed in the Order Aplousobranchia, which comprises a diverse range of ascidians characterized by their simple internal anatomy. Synoicum sacculum further belongs to the Family Polyclinidae, a family of colonial ascidians that are known for their compact, often brightly colored colonies.

Feeding

Like other ascidians, Synoicum sacculum is a filter feeder. Each zooid within the colony draws in water through its incurrent siphon. This water passes through a pharyngeal basket, a structure lined with cilia that capture microscopic food particles such as phytoplankton and zooplankton. Once the food particles are trapped, they are transported to the digestive system where they are digested and absorbed. The filtered water is then expelled through the excurrent siphon.

Associated Species

Image References

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