Narrative

The sea squirts (Class Ascidiacea) are marine animals that siphon enormous amounts of water (compared to their size). These animals are normally attached to rocks, but a few are found in mud or sand. They range in size from a fraction of an inch up to 20 inches long. One reference notes that some species can pass 20,000 times their own mass in water in a single day. The siphon process provides the animals with both food and oxygen. The name sea squirt derives from their habit of squirting water when disturbed. Many of the species in this class form colonies that share a common tunic, while others live in a solitary manner. The Ascidiacea are normally divided into four different orders.

Taxonomy

References