Lightbulb Sea Squirt Facts
- This somewhat bewildering sea creature remains best known by the attention-grabbing common name of the Lightbulb Sea Squirt. It holds a few other general titles, though. These include Oaten-pipe Tunicate, Transparent Sea Squirt, and Ghost Tunicate, among others.
- Within the world of science, however, it’s possibly better known by its technical designation. That term, though, like many of its kind, is difficult for the layperson to pronounce. That’s because this amazing work of evolution bears the official moniker of Clavelina lepadiformis.
- The marine marvel received that hard to pronounce epithet due to the efforts of Otto Friedrich Müller. The respected Danish naturalist recorded the first formal recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He achieved that scientifically noteworthy deed in the year 1776.
- Fortunately, the intriguing Lightbulb Sea Squirt appears to be maintaining a population base that’s both stable and sufficient. This pleasant state also seems to hold true throughout its native range. The IUCN therefore does not currently show the animal on its Red List.
- The biological wonder nevertheless should still be considered as facing numerous potential threats to its continued existence. In this it’s dealing with the same factors as all forms of life on earth today. These include the related perils of habitat loss and ongoing climate change.
Related Articles
Lightbulb Sea Squirt Physical Description
The mesmerizing Lightbulb Sea Squirt typically captures the attention and imagination of those individuals who encounter one. The animal generally does so, however, due more to its appearance than size. That’s true since Nature packed all its marvels into a comparatively small frame.
Regarding its physical nature and appearance, it follows the pattern shared by its relatives around the globe. That’s the fact that it displays no amount of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. This occurs since it’s hermaphroditic, being both male and female simultaneously.
The majority of specimens of this marine beauty attain a height that ranges from between 0.8 – 2 in (2 – 5 cm). Nonetheless, exceptional examples of the species do occasionally occur, though. Yet, even these giants among their kind rarely exceed a vertical measurement of more than 2.4 in (6 cm).
Its diminutive body predominantly displays a roughly cylindrical shape, gnenerally considered to resemble a small tube or flask. Yet, the distinctive creature also holds a unique trait. The animal also often grows in clusters of individuals attached to a shared base or substrate, like rocks or algae.
This remarkable product of Nature and evolution further manifests two distinct siphons at the top of its body. One of these functions to draw water in, known as the the incurrent siphon. Meanwhile, yet another exists, serving the purpose of expelling water. It’s known as the excurrent siphon.
The stunning Lightbulb Sea Squirt evolved a body that’s primarily translucent. This allows for the internal structures to be viewed. But individual examples of these present brilliant colors, contrasting with the external translucence. Their colors include bright white or yellowish spots.
Even the organs of the wonder contribute to the dazzling array of hues. Many of these display various bright shades of yellow, white, or even blue. These contribute to the lightbulb-like glow and thus the name. Each also usually appears clearly visible through the clear external casing.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Ascidiacea
- Order: Aplousobranchia
- Family: Clavelinidae
- Genus: Clavelina
- Species: C. lepadiformis
Lightbulb Sea Squirt Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The gorgeous Lightbulb Sea Squirt evolved as native to a comparatively broad expanse of the earth’s marine regions. The exact location of this zone of habitation might surprise some people, though. It’s primarily found in the temperate and cold waters of the northeast Atlantic Ocean.
This territory includes the coastal waters of several countries in Europe. It appears along the shores of the British Isles, Ireland, and Scandinavia. It’s also common in Norway, Sweden, and the North Sea. The wonder’s additionally present along the coasts of Spain, Portugal, and the Bay of Biscay.
But its confirmed range doesn’t simply end there. It’s also known to thrive in certain regions of the western Mediterranean. Small concentrations also exist along the northern coast of Africa. Scattered, unconfirmed reports further place it within the confines of the Baltic Sea, as well.
Like many forms of life, this marvel displays decidedly clear preferences regarding its choice of habitat. Though exact conditions vary slightly, it occurs within shallow coastal waters. Each location where it appears, however, possesses some combination of several habitat requirements.
It’s typically found from the intertidal zone to depths of about 164 ft (50 m). It also seems to prefer areas below the low-tide line where it remains submerged continuously. In all settings, it favors the presence of hard surfaces. These generally include rocks, algae, shells, and even piers and docks.
It also seeks out regions with good water circulation. Although it tolerates a range of salinities, it thrives in marine environments rather than brackish waters. The animal’s also frequently seen in areas sheltered from strong wave action, such as the bays, harbors, and fjords found in its range.
Like its many relations, the Lightbulb Sea Squirt evolved as a filter feeder. This means that it extracts plankton, detritus, and other small organic particles from the water. By filtering large volumes of water, it also helps maintain water clarity and contributes to nutrient cycling in its ecosystem.
Being hermaphroditic, it releases sperm and eggs into the water, where fertilization occurs externally. The planktonic larvae then settle on a suitable substrate to develop into adult sea squirts. Its ability to produce large numbers of larvae further allows it to spread and colonize new areas.
Predators of the impressive species do exist. These include some sea stars, fish, and sometimes sea slugs that specialize in feeding on tunicates. Its translucent body offers some camouflage, but its colonial nature and exposure on hard substrates nevertheless makes it vulnerable to predation.
Species Sharing Its Range
Check out our other articles on 3 Breathtaking Central American Birds, Crabeater Seal, Deception Island, Bird Cherry, California Mantis, Hellbender Salamander, Shoebill, American Alligator