Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Tunicata Order Stolidobranchia Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Class Ascidiacea Family Molgulidae | |
Similar Molgula, Dendrodoa grossularia, Botrylloides violaceus, Styela, Sertularia cupressina | ||
Molgula manhattensis (Sea Grape Tunicate) is a type of tunicate commonly found along the East Coast and Gulf Coast region of the United States. Although it is native to this region, it has been introduced to other areas of Europe, Australia, and the West Coast. They are not found on the West Pacific Coast of the United States
Contents
Body Structure
The Mogul manhattensis is a small soft rubbery feeling, round sphere that looks brownish grey. The sea squirt is also kind of transparent, being able to look at some of its organs. The sea squirt has many little fibrils on its skin. The squirt is also hermaphroditic. Inside the organism, consists the ability to release sperm or egg into the water to fertilize/or be fertilized. Additionally, the sea squirts have two siphons; one for eating and one for releasing gametes during reproduction.
Habitat
The sea squirt can live from the intertidal zone to a depth of 300 feet. Sea squirts attach to a solid organism or even rocks, pilings, buoys, or sand. They are predators to most shellfish such as oysters. They will grow on the shells and compete for the oxygen in the water. The sea squirts can also live in a temperature range of about 50°F to about 80°F. They can live in water with a salinity of 33.270(PPS) to 36.231(PPS). They also prefer oxygen levels to be between 3.960 and 6.328(ml/l).
History
The mogula manhattensis is native to the East Coast of the United States and to waters around Europe. It is found on the West Coast of the United States and to parts of Asia. Adults can live off of almost anything making them very good survivors in bodies of water though they prefer protected waters. The larvae can only live for a few days unless it attaches to a hard surface(similar to oysters and mussels).