Ciona+Intestinalis

Ciona intestinalis

Ciona intestinalis, otherwise known as the vase tunicate, is a sea squirt. It is a solitary organism with a cylindrical, gelatinous body. It is permanently anchored to whatever surface is present, may it be the bottom of a boat or the sea floor. It is a hermaphroditic broadcast spawner, meaning that they cannot self-fertilize, but release both sperm and eggs into the water. It often grows with other fouling organisms.

Aren't we just the jiggles? :D

Ciona interstinalis is a very invasive species. It can hitch rides across the sea by sticking to the underside of boats. When it reaches new found territory with suitable conditions, it reproduces and makes a new home. Ciona intestinalis does not have many predators, if any at all. It eats miniscule organisms that are filtered out through their pharyngeal slits.

This species has been studied extensively by scientists. It’s entire genome has been mapped and studied. This simple organisms shares about 80% of their genetic information with us, humans.

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