Cunjevoi

Description:

These are tunicates/ascidians which appeared like clumps of collapsed "sand-crusted" sacs stuck to a sea fan. Each sac had two openings with scalloped edges - one on top and the other to the side (inhalant & exhalant siphons). The sacs seemed to have a reddish tinge. The inside of each sac had organs which were red in colour with a brown segment towards the base (pics 4 & 5). The organs seemed to be covered by mucilaginous substance.

Habitat:

Australian waters - the only species of cunjevoi found here. These sea squirts were found washed ashore in large numbers, along the beach in the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.

Notes:

Also known as sea squirts, these are sessile marine filter feeders with thick "tunics" which are, interestingly, said to be made largely of cellulose. The large pharynx have cilia which waft water with food to the gut through the inhalant siphon. Water is filtered and sent out through the exhalant siphon. If disturbed or attacked, these little creatures squirt water through their siphon to repel any attacker. Tunicate blood is said to have high levels of heavy metals like Vanadium and Lithium and specialised cells concentrate these heavy metals which are then deposited in their tunics. The larva of the tunicate is long like a tadpole with a notochord. These settle within 24 hours in an adult colony and transformation takes place until they look like little sacs with two siphons - nothing like the young larvae ! here's some interesting reading: http://www.pittwateronlinenews.com/explo... There are two plants from the lilium family that are also called Cunjevois... This was previously identified as P.stolonifera which is incorrect. I am told that the genus has since been split. stolonifera are found off Africa.