Red sea squirt

Halocynthia papillosa

''Halocyntia papillosa'', also known as the red sea squirt is a sea peach or sea squirt, a species of tunicate.
Ascidia Roja - Halocynthia papillosa A nice description here: http://www.european-marine-life.org/32/halocynthia-papillosa.php Geotagged,Halocynthia papillosa,Spain,Summer

Appearance

''Halocynthia papillosa'' is usually about 10 cm high but can reach 20 cm. It can contract when disturbed.
Red Sea Squirt Back of Serra Gelada, Isla Mitjana, between Altea and Benidorm, Alicante (Spain). Adult Red Sea-Squirts are about 6-12 cm long (maximum 20 cm). The colour (caused by symbiotic micro-algae) is red or vividly orange but paler on the side turned away from light. At depths below 15 m it looks black if no artificial light is used. They are upright and the tubular body is bulbous. The test is rough and finely granulated but clean due to antifouling impregnation. There are two cylindrical siphons equipped with a crown of rigid bristles, used as sensitive elements. The upper one is the oral opening which can be closed to a four-lobed cross; the lateral one is the cloacal exit which can be closed lip-like with two lobes. (http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/choose-a-species/invertebrates/other-aquatic-invertebrates/halocynthia-papillosa) Geotagged,Halocynthia papillosa,Spain,Summer

Distribution

This species occurs at depths of 2 to 100 metres It attaches itself to rocks and overhangs, or among Posidonia. It can be found in the Northeast Atlantic, Western Pacific, along the Portuguese coast, and the Mediterranean.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAscidiacea
OrderPleurogona
FamilyPyuridae
GenusHalocynthia
SpeciesHalocynthia papillosa
Photographed in
Spain