Sea Squirts

Sea Squirts

Molgula manhattensis ( right )
Styela Partita
( left )

Sea Squirts are found attached intertidally to subtidally. They show an extraordinary tolerance for brackish and polluted water, which makes them highly survivable in urban areas. Sea Squirts, usually about an inch in diameter, are capable of ejecting a stream of water when agitated, hence the name. Usually found in groups of several animals. See also: Horned Salp.

Tunicates are much more advanced in the evolutionary scheme of things than anemones, having, for example, a circulatory system. The larvae actually even have several features in common with vertebrates, including the precursor of a spinal cord, but these are lost in the sac-like sessile adults.

Sea Squirts
Type unknown
Golden Star Tunicates
The attractive purple growths on this Ulva weed are colonies of Golden Star Tunicates. The individual animals are almost too small to see.
Sea Squirt anatomy
Sea Squirt anatomy


Norway Rat

Rattus norvegicus

Size: 6-8" (body)

Habitat: everywhere

Notes:
Sorry to say, but rats are especially common around watery habitats and are excellent swimmers. They are particularly fond of beaches, marshes, ships, docks, and jetties. The next time you go diving at Shark River, take a careful look in the rocks and you will likely see one or two scampering around, dining on old fishing bait and washed-up detritus, even in broad daylight. The Norway Rat is introduced from the Old World, and in most areas today it is more common than the native Black Rat.

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