Urochordata Collection

Two Bakers cyclosalps -Cyclosalpa bakeri-, Japan Sea, Primorsky Krai, Russian Federation

Colony Bakers cyclosalpa -cyclosalpa bakeri-, salp, Japan Sea, Primorsky Krai, Russian Federation, Far East

Salps. Chain of salps, Salpa maxima, a type of tunicate. S. maxima is largely translucent and pumps its way through the water by taking fluid into its mouth and expelling it through its anus

Salps. Spiral colony of salps (Pegea socia). Salps are tunicate organisms related to sea squirts. They are filter feeders, sifting microscopic plankton from the water

Polycarpa aurata sea squirt
Polycarpa aurata tunicate, or sea squirt, amongst the branches of a Dendronephthya sp. soft coral. Sea squirts are sessile barrel-shaped animals that feed by filtering plankton from the water

Ink-spot sea squirt and a crinoid
Ink-spot sea squirt (Polycarpa aurata, blue) and a crinoid (right) amongst coral. Sea squirts are sessile barrel-shaped animals that feed by filtering plankton from the water

Polycarpa aurata sea squirts (purple/yellow) on a rock, surrounded by soft coral (orange). Sea squirts are primitive sessile animals that feed by passing water through their bodies

Ink-spot sea squirt (Polycarpa aurata) amongst coral. Sea squirts are sessile barrel-shaped animals that feed by filtering plankton from the water

Hingebeak shrimp on a seasquirt
Hingebeak shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis) on an ink-spot sea squirt (Polycarpa aurata) on a reef. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Starfish and sea squirts on a reef. Fromia nodosa starfish with sea squirts, soft corals and sponges on a reef. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Seahorse and sea squirts
Seahorse with sea squirts. Seahorse (Hippocampus sp.) with stalked green ascidians, or grape tunicates, (Oxycorynia fascicularis) on a reef

Soft coral and sea squirts

Ink-spot sea squirts and featherstar
Ink-spot sea squirts (Polycarpa aurata, purple and yellow) and featherstar on a reef. Sea squirts, or tunicates, are sessile barrel-shaped animals that feed by filtering plankton from the water

Ink-spot sea squirts (Polycarpa aurata, yellow and purple) on a reef. Sea squirts, or tunicates, are sessile barrel-shaped animals that feed by filtering plankton from the water

Sea squirts. Atriolum robustum (left) and Clavelina sp. (right) tunicates on a reef. Sea squirts, or tunicates, are sessile animals that feed by filtering plankton from the water

Sea squirts on coral. Stalked green ascidians or grape tunicates (Oxycorynia fascicularis) attached to a reef. Sea squirts filter plankton from the water current which circulates through them

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Urochordata, also known as sea squirts or salps, are fascinating marine creatures found in the Japan Sea, specifically in the Primorsky Krai region of the Russian Federation's Far East. Among them is the remarkable species Cyclosalpa bakeri, commonly referred to as Two Bakers cyclosalps. These unique organisms form colonies that consist of numerous individuals called zooids. The colony of Bakers cyclosalpa showcases their intricate interconnectedness and cooperative behavior. These salps play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of their habitat. The Japan Sea provides an ideal environment for these urochordates to thrive. With its rich biodiversity and favorable conditions, it serves as a haven for various marine life forms including sea squirts like Polycarpa aurata. These vibrant creatures add splashes of color to the underwater landscape with their golden hues. In close proximity to these stunning sea squirts lies another intriguing sight - an ink-spot sea squirt alongside a crinoid. This symbiotic relationship between two distinct species demonstrates nature's ability to foster interdependence among different organisms. Salps themselves are captivating creatures that possess transparent bodies resembling gelatinous tubes or barrels. They gracefully propel themselves through water by contracting and expanding their muscular structure, creating mesmerizing movements reminiscent of underwater ballet. Sea squirts have earned their name due to their ability to expel jets of water when disturbed or threatened – a defense mechanism that resembles squirting water from a bottle-like structure present within their bodies. As we delve into the world beneath our oceans' surface, we uncover countless wonders such as Urochordata - enchanting beings that remind us of nature's boundless beauty and complexity.