Ascidiacea, commonly known as the ascidians, tunicates (in part), and sea squirts (in part), is a paraphyletic class in the subphylum Tunicata of sac-like marine invertebrate filter feeders. Ascidians are characterized by a tough outer "tunic" made of the polysaccharide cellulose. Ascidians are found all over the world, usually in shallow water with salinities over 2.5%. While members of the Thaliacea and Larvacea (Appendicularia) swim freely like plankton, sea squirts are sessile animals after their larval phase: they then remain firmly attached to their substratum, such as rocks and shells. Learn more about Sea squirt and tunicate
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Sea Squirt and Tunicate Species Videos
View All Sea Squirt and Tunicate Videos
Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status |
Blue Sea Squirt (3 videos) | Clavelina moluccensis | Not Available |
Colonial Tunicate (3 videos) | Pyrosoma atlanticum | Not Available |
Light Bulb Sea Squirt (1 videos) | Clavelina lepadiformis | Not Available |
Ox Heart Ascidian (9 videos) | Polycarpa aurata | Not Available |
Sea Squirt (64 videos) | Ascidia ceratodes | Not Available |
Transparent Sea Squirt (3 videos) | Corella willmeriana | Not Available |
Tunicate (166 videos) | Pyura chilensis | Not Available |
Vase Tunicate (15 videos) | Ciona intestinalis | Not Available |
Yellow Tulip (0 videos) | Fasciolaria bullisi | Not Available |