(Ladehammeren - The Trondheim fjord / 16 meters / 9.19.2004)

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Tunicata

Class: Ascidiacea

Order: Phlebobranchia

Family: Ascidiidae

Scientific name: Ascidia virginea

 

Norwegian: rektangulærsjøpung

Distribution: This species is common on hard substrate or gravel. It is most frequent deeper than 10 meters.

Characteristics: The rectangular shaped body is attached to the bottom by a small part of the base. The color is usually pink. The height is less than 6 cm, the width approximately half the height.

Sea squirts do not have many enemies, but are sometimes attacked by parasites. Some snails get their food by sucking nutritious liquid out of them. The spots on the individual to the left are eggs left by the velvet shell.

All pictures: