Sea Tulip

Description:

Pyura spinifera, commonly known as "sea tulip", is a tunicate species of sessile ascidian (sea quirt) that lives in coastal waters at depths of up to 80 metres (260 feet). It is a marine invertebrate, not a plant, and as with almost all other ascidians, sea tulips are marine filter feeders with a water-filled, sac-like body structure and two tubular openings, known as siphons, through which they draw in and expel water. During their respiration and feeding, they take in water through the incurrent (inhalant) siphon and expel the filtered water through the excurrent (exhalant) siphon. The common name comes from the organism's appearance - that of a knobbly 'bulb' or flower attached to a long stalk which is roughly 30 cms in length. Sea tulips come in a variety of colours, but colouration depends upon their association with a symbiotic sponge (Halisarca australiensis) that covers its surface. This specimen is "beachwashed", meaning it has lost its original colour and is in the process of decay. I suspect the original colour was either pink or red simply because I can see hints of these colours on various parts of the specimen.

Habitat:

This specimen was found washed up on a rocky platform at North Avoca Beach, on the NSW Central Coast. I have yet to determine the range of this species, but I do know it prefers temperate waters. Common in the Sydney and Central Coast region which is fed by the warm East Australian current.

Notes:

Sea tulips belong to the same genus as cunjevoi - Pyura, in the family group Pyuridae. Here's a spotting for comparison. Both species are sessile ascidian tunicates, if you didn't already know... haha. There is always something new and exciting to learn :) https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/76...