Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Ascidiacea
- Aplousobranchia
- Enterogona
- Phlebobranchia
- Pleurogona
- Stolidobranchia
Ascidiacea (commonly known as the ascidians) is an order in the Urochordata subphylum of sac-like marine filter feeders. They are characterized by a tough outer "tunic" made of the polysaccharide tunicin whilst other tunicates are much less robust. Whilst adults are sessile (immobile), larvae resemble tadpoles and swim up and down in their marine environment.
Like other tunicates, they also collect and concentrate vanadium in their blood, although the reason for this behaviour is not properly understood.
Examples of ascidians include Sea Tulips and the Solitary Ascidian.
References
External link
- Ascidiacea.com - Classification and images of many ascidians.
09-23-2007 01:00:40
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details