Clavelina picta- Painted Tunicate
Adapted to Regulate Itself:
Absorb Nutrients: Ingestive heterotroph (filter feeder).
Contains a structure called an "endostyle" with mucous gland and parapharyngeal and dorsal grooves lined with cilia to capture prey.
Reproduce: Uses asexual reproduction through budding; it broods it larvae, which are tadpole-like and mobile.
Defend from Injury or Illness:
- Ring of tentacles in oral cavity that prevents foreign objects from being filtered in.
- Attaches to hard substrates as they become sessile.
Absorb Nutrients: Ingestive heterotroph (filter feeder).
Contains a structure called an "endostyle" with mucous gland and parapharyngeal and dorsal grooves lined with cilia to capture prey.
Reproduce: Uses asexual reproduction through budding; it broods it larvae, which are tadpole-like and mobile.
Defend from Injury or Illness:
- Found in colonies in shallow water.
- Contain inorganic acids or secondary metabolites which are either stored in the gonads or tunic.