Perophora
Perophora is a genus of colonial tunicates, commonly known as sea squirts or sea potatoes. These fascinating creatures belong to the family Perophoridae and are characterized by their unique morphology and colonial lifestyle.
Characteristics
Members of the genus Perophora exhibit a range of distinctive features:
- Colonial structure: They form colonies of individuals called zooids, which are interconnected by stolons.
- Sac-like body: Each zooid has a sac-like body with two siphons – an incurrent siphon for drawing in water and an excurrent siphon for expelling water.
- Filter feeding: They feed by filtering food particles from the water using a specialized structure called a pharyngeal basket.
- Reproduction: They reproduce both asexually, by budding, and sexually, by producing larvae.
- Coloration: They can vary in color, ranging from translucent to brown or even bright orange.
Environments
Perophora species are typically found in marine environments worldwide, particularly in coastal areas and estuaries. They are often associated with seaweeds, sponges, and other invertebrates.
References
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