''Nephtheis fascicularis'', commonly called the lollipop tunicate, lollipop coral, or blue palm coral, is a species of tunicate that is native to the shallow reefs of Indonesia. It is the only species in its genus ''Nephtheis''. They are not photosynthetic, and live on plankton and small organic particles obtained from the water currents. The branched stems are formed by tiny polyps called zooids.
Similar species: Enterogona
By Patomarazul
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Uploaded Jul 23, 2020. Captured Nov 7, 2019 01:28 in Indonesia.
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These gorgeous lollipop tunicates (Nephtheis fascicularis) are native to the shallow reefs of Indonesia. They are suspension feeders that require areas with gentle water movement and heavy concentrations of suspended food particles.
Feeding is fairly simple for the lollipop tunicate. Physically, they have two openings with one being larger than the other. The larger one, called the buccal siphon, draws in water. This water enters a chamber called the pharyngeal basket, which filters out oxygen and food particles. The remaining water gets expelled through the smaller opening, called the atrial siphon. The food particles are mixed with mucus and digested. Any subsequent waste products get expelled through the atrial siphon. And, that's it! {Spotted in Indonesia by JungleDragon moderator, Patomarazul} #JungleDragon #lollipoptunicate #Nephtheisfascicularis
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Posted 4 years ago