The Vase Tunicate, scientifically known as Ciona intestinalis, is a solitary tunicate commonly found in coastal waters around the world. These marine invertebrates are filter feeders, playing a crucial role in the marine ecosystem by consuming plankton and other organic matter.
Description & Characteristics
Ciona intestinalis is a sac-like organism, resembling a vase, hence its common name. They typically grow up to 15 centimeters in length and are characterized by their translucent, leathery tunic that encloses their body. Two siphons protrude from the tunic: an inhalant siphon through which water enters, and an exhalant siphon for expelling filtered water. The organism’s internal anatomy is simple, with a heart, digestive system, and reproductive organs.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Vase Tunicate is a common inhabitant of coastal waters, often found attached to rocks, piers, and other submerged surfaces. They prefer temperate and cold waters and are known to thrive in a wide range of salinities. Ciona intestinalis can be found in intertidal zones as well as deeper waters, with a depth range extending to several hundred meters. The Vase Tunicate is frequently observed in the neritic zone, an area of the ocean extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf, but can also occur in the oceanic zone, characterized by its deeper waters and open ocean conditions.
Taxonomy
Ciona intestinalis belongs to the phylum Chordata, the same phylum that includes vertebrates like humans. Within this phylum, it is classified under the subphylum Tunicata, a group of marine invertebrates distinguished by their tunic, a protective covering composed of a cellulose-like material. Ciona intestinalis is part of the Class: Ascidiacea, which includes all the sea squirts. Further classification places it within the Order: Phlebobranchia, an order containing ascidians with a single gill opening, and the Family: Cionidae, a family of ascidians with a simple body structure and a large, vase-shaped tunic.
Feeding
Ciona intestinalis is a filter feeder, relying on the currents to bring plankton and other microscopic organic matter into its inhalant siphon. Once inside, the water is passed through a series of gill slits, where food particles are trapped in a mucus layer. The filtered water is then expelled through the exhalant siphon. The trapped food particles are transported to the digestive system, where they are digested and absorbed. This feeding strategy makes Ciona intestinalis a significant contributor to the food web, playing a critical role in the marine ecosystem by consuming plankton and other organic matter.
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