Sea Grape Tunicate - Molgula manhattensis

I think this is a sea grape tunicate, but I could be wrong. When I touched it, it shot water out of its siphon, which is what initially made me assume it was a sea squirt ;P.

Habitat: Tide pool at low tide

comments (14)

Patomarazul

Lion

I am so happy to see the colourful marine life in your area! Posted 5 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, I'm happy to share them! The underwater world is so beautiful and overwhelming.
  
  We didn't realize it at the time, but a woman was killed by a great white shark in this location, about 2 weeks before we visited! Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Patomarazul
    
    Lion
    
    O-M-G! Is this by Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard or farther up North from Boston instead of down Cape Cod? I have heard of great whites in all these areas when I still live in Cambridge but no one was killed while I was there luckily.. and when I think of the poor visibility when scuba diving there it gives me the creeps... But probably that was a case of someone at the surface? I will look it up in the news, poor woman.. Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      It was in Harpswell, Maine, so a bit north of Portland, which I think is about 1.5 hours south of Rockport. The woman was wearing a wet suit and was swimming with her daughter. Reports say they were about 20 meters out. The daughter witnessed the attack. Ugh.
      
      https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/28/us/shark-attack-harpswell-maine.html Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
    2. 1. Patomarazul
        
        Lion
        
        Oh, God..terrible and sad news..it also does not help to the cause for the great whites not being hated by people..Is just a freak accident, she was in the wrong place at the wrong moment.. I have done the same as her many times in the area of New England knowing there could be great whites out there an still ventured..also kayaking there in the sea..it is terrible luck..feel sorry for the poor daughter as well. Posted 5 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Very bad luck, indeed. A horrible accident and not at all the shark's fault. The sharks hunt the seals and a woman in a wet suit resembles a seal. I have done sea kayaking, but never feared sharks or really even considered it a risk.
        
        I feel sorry for the lady's family, for sure. And, I'm glad you have always managed to stay safe in your adventures <3. Posted 5 years ago

Patomarazul

Lion

Talking about Maine and something a bit more positive, have you been in Acadia already? I have never been there but seems to be an awesome place for marine wildlife and bird watching as well! Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  I have been to Mount Desert Island, Acadia, and have been up Cadillac Mountain. It's a beautiful place, but can get insanely touristy during the summer. The quiet side of the island has incredible tidal pools and smaller crowds. And, there are lots of seals and puffins (in season), plus other birds.
  
  The college I went to was about 1.5 hours east of MDI and was in a poor area, so we didn't have to deal with tourists. Did you ever venture up north in Maine, towards Baxter State Park? It is an amazing, wild place. I worked up there for a couple summers as a camp counselor. Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
2. 1. Patomarazul
    
    Lion
    
    No, unfortunately I have not been at the coast side farther than New Hampshire. I went once to somewhere in the Maine border with Canada for rafting. I don't remember exactly the place, I only rmember the hypothermia as the waters and later the camping tent were gelid (it was November already) and that we saw a moose hahaha :-D Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Oohh, very cold water in that area for sure. I have done some rafting there too and brrr! Shockingly cold. I love camping in the cold though. Weird, I know.
      
      Nice that you saw a moose!! They can be quite elusive. My favorite moose sighting was when I was working at camp up near Baxter State Park. I was up super early to go for a walk. It was cool and drizzling and I came upon a mother moose and her calf eating some grasses in a pond. They were so peaceful and beautiful. They barely gave me a glance before going back to their breakfast. It was magical. The worst moose sighting for me was a sick moose (brain parasite) that wandered around town for several days before being put down. That was heartbreaking. Posted 5 years ago

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

I could have SWORN I commented on this! I love the "sea grape" common name! So cute! Posted 5 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Maybe you forgot to press 'post reply'...I have typed comments and forgotten to press that button many times, lol. But, then again -- I am older than you ;P.
  
  And, I agree -- so cute!! It was so fun to press it and have it squirt me. I would have done it more than once, but didn't want to upset the grape. Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
    
    Lion
    
    LOL--a LOT older than me? :P Impossible! We are TWINSIES!
    
    And I seem to be derping out/brainfarting a lo this week Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Haha! In true twinsie fashion, I am also brainfarting big-time lately as well. Posted 5 years ago

The Northern Sea Squirt

''Molgula manhattensis'', commonly known as "sea grapes", is a species of ascidian commonly found along the East Coast and Gulf Coast region of the United States. Although it is native to this region, it has been introduced to other areas of Europe, Australia, and the West Coast. They are not found on the West Pacific Coast of the United States.

Info 2 0

Similar species: Stolidobranchia

Species identified by Christine Young