Molgula manhattensis

Molgula manhattensis, commonly known as "sea grapes", is a species of ascidian commonly found along the East Coast and Gulf Coast region of the United States. Although it is native to this region, it has been introduced to other areas of Europe, Australia, and the West Coast. They are not found on the West Pacific Coast of the United States.[1]

Sea grape tunicate
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Tunicata
Class:
Ascidiacea
Order:
Stolidobranchia
Family:
Molgulidae
Genus:
Molgula
Species:
M. manhattensis
Binomial name
Molgula manhattensis

Description

Molgula manhattensis is small, spherical, brownish-grey in color, somewhat translucent, and feels soft and rubbery to the touch. Like other ascidians, they have two siphons (incurrent and excurrent), through which they draw water for ventilation and filter-feeding, and also for releasing their gametes. They are hermaphroditic, and release sperm and eggs into the water for external fertilization, unlike some other species of Molgula which may be viviparous (e.g. M. citrina).[2][3] The tunic is covered with many little fibrils.[4]

Habitat

M. manhattensis can live from the intertidal zone to a depth of 300 feet. They can attach to solid organisms or even rocks, pilings, buoys, or sand.[2] The sea squirts can also live in a temperature range of about 50 °F to about 80 °F. They can live in water with a salinity of 33.270 to 36.231 PSS, with oxygen concentrations between 3.960 and 6.328 ml/l.[3]

History

Mogula manhattensis is native to the East Coast of the United States and to waters around Europe. It is also found on the West Coast of the United States and to parts of Asia. Adults can live off of almost anything making them very good survivors in bodies of water though they prefer protected waters. The larvae can only live for a few days unless it attaches to a hard surface (similar to oysters and mussels).[2]

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References
  1. "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Molgula manhattensis (De Kay, 1843)". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  2. "Sea grape tunicate (Molgula manhattensis) - Aquatic Invasive Species | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife". wdfw.wa.gov. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
  3. "Sea Grape - Molgula manhattensis - Details - Encyclopedia of Life". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
  4. "Connecticut Sea Grant | UConn". seagrant.uconn.edu. Archived from the original on 2016-11-03. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
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