Mangrove Tunicate
Ecteinascidia turbinata
Description 5
The mangrove tunicate, Ecteinascidia turbinata, is a colonial ascidian comprised of individual zooids connected through a series of root-like stolons at the base of the colony. These stolons provide blood to zooids, linking them to one another, and serve as attachment points between the colony and substratum. Each zooid is surrounded by a tunic opening to the water column via an orange siphon. Pigmentation of this area is achieved by carotenoids found in organelles accumulated at the anterior portion of the tunic (Lyerla et al. 1975). Sparse pigments in other portions of the tunic give colonies a transparent appearance. However, in some populations, the zooids within each tunic may have a yellow, orange or pink cast (Voss 1980).
Distribution 6
The range of E. turbinata extends throughout the warm, shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the east coast of Florida, Bermuda and the Caribbean (Van Name 1945). Seasonal populations are common in the Mediterranean (Carballo 2000), and colonies have been found in Chesapeake Bay (Calder et al. 1966) and on reefs off the Carolinas (Pearse & Williams 1951) in the spring and summer months. Colonies of the mangrove tunicate are found throughout the lagoon, growing on prop roots of the red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle (eg. Vázquez & Young 1996), hence the common name. However, E. turbinata can also be found attached to docks, floating debris, rocks and seagrass blades (eg. Ruppert & Fox 1988, Young & Bingham 1987).
Size 7
Individual zooids are approximately 2.0 to 2.5 cm in height (Young & Bingham 1987, Ruppert & Fox 1988), and colonies may reach a diameter of 14 cm and weigh up to 350 g (Carballo et al. 1997). Although the maximum age of E. turbinata in the field is unknown, maturation from fertilized egg to adult can occur in a few months (Carballo 2000).
Look alikes 8
Several species of colonial ascidians are found in NE Florida. However, coloration, size and habitat of E. turbinata distinguish it readily from other species.
Reproduction 9
Adult E. turbinata are simultaneous hermaphrodites, but can reproduce sexually or asexually. Sexual reproduction occurs most frequently in the spring and summer when water temperatures are warm. The mangrove tunicate is ovoviviparous, and larvae are brooded in the peribranchial cavity for approximately 7 to 9 days after fertilization before being released into the water column (Carballo et al. 2000).
Link to Access Genomic Data 10
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?id=284476&lvl=0
Sources and Credits
- (c) Sean Nash, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/28517410@N02/4526304280
- (c) Sean Nash, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/4525678035/
- (c) Sean Nash, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/nashworld/5656646750/
- (c) Kent Miller, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND), uploaded by Kent Miller
- (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11526040
- (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11526041
- (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11526046
- Adapted by matbio from a work by (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11526043
- Adapted by matbio from a work by (c) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/11526045
- (c) Emily Rose Sharkey, all rights reserved
