Polycitoridae
Polycitoridae is a family of colonial tunicates in the order Aplousobranchia. They are commonly known as “sea squirts” or “tunicates” and are found in various marine environments worldwide. Polycitoridae members are characterized by their colonial nature, with individuals forming large, often brightly colored masses. They are filter feeders, drawing water through their bodies to extract food particles.
Characteristics
Polycitoridae species exhibit a range of characteristic features, including:
- Colonial structure: They form colonies composed of individual zooids, which are small, interconnected organisms.
- Tunic: The outer covering of the colony is a tough, leathery tunic composed of cellulose.
- Siphons: Each zooid has two siphons, an incurrent siphon for drawing in water and an excurrent siphon for expelling filtered water.
- Filter feeding: They are filter feeders, extracting food particles from the water.
- Reproduction: Reproduction can be both sexual and asexual, with colonies often budding new zooids.
- Bright colors: Some species display vibrant colors, ranging from reds and oranges to yellows and greens.
Environments
Polycitoridae species are found in a variety of marine environments, including:
- Intertidal zones: They can be found in rocky intertidal areas, exposed to air during low tides.
- Subtidal zones: They also occur in subtidal zones, beneath the low tide mark.
- Coral reefs: Some species inhabit coral reefs, contributing to the diversity of these ecosystems.
- Seagrass beds: They can also be found in seagrass beds, where they may attach to seagrass blades or the seafloor.
References
For further information on Polycitoridae, consult these reliable references: