Tunicates are often said to be the link between inverts and vertebrates. They look like sponges, but are far more developed, with digestive, circulatory and reproductive systems. Their larvae have a 'notochord' - a primitive spinal chord - thus the 'link'!
Hi Moralcoral. Thanks for the supporting information. And yes was thinking it could be a Rhopalaea crassa. Just really hard IDing them sometimes if we don't get to see a similar picture from the net with a definitive name :-)
Hi Alice. Moralcoral is right on the info on what they do to the ecosystem. More importantly they have the potential to be a source of medically beneficial chemical compounds. :-)
i see you thought the same now maybe should have read your description =) good we are thinking along the same lines, its so hald to id thes things my friend does them by extracting the spicules with nitric acid! very complex!
they are also an importank like in the marine food web becoiming food to fishes, there is also potential for pharmacutacals as with many marine species!
18 Comments
Glad you liked it Mayra :-)
Fantastic!!
Thanks Avinash. Do go scuba diving with us when you're here :-)
These colors are so amazing..! Right now, all I want to do is go scuba diving with you guys. Atleast Project Noah gave me very good real alternative.!
I guess it does Ismael :-)
It looks like a Wormhole
Thanks IgCostaNut. Will do :-)
Beautiful Eric! you can add this to the new "color blue" mission:
http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8382...
Great info @madasamarinebiologist and thanks! :-)
...and great photo :)
Tunicates are often said to be the link between inverts and vertebrates. They look like sponges, but are far more developed, with digestive, circulatory and reproductive systems. Their larvae have a 'notochord' - a primitive spinal chord - thus the 'link'!
Hi Moralcoral. Thanks for the supporting information. And yes was thinking it could be a Rhopalaea crassa. Just really hard IDing them sometimes if we don't get to see a similar picture from the net with a definitive name :-)
Hi Alice. Moralcoral is right on the info on what they do to the ecosystem. More importantly they have the potential to be a source of medically beneficial chemical compounds. :-)
i see you thought the same now maybe should have read your description =) good we are thinking along the same lines, its so hald to id thes things my friend does them by extracting the spicules with nitric acid! very complex!
think it could be Rhopalaea crassa!
they are also an importank like in the marine food web becoiming food to fishes, there is also potential for pharmacutacals as with many marine species!
they filter the water feeding on tiny bacterias and plankton helping to reduce organic matter in the water colum and helping to keep the sea clear!
I believe my knowledge of the sea and oceans is pretty limited because there is so much I don't know, but this is very pretty. Does it do something?