Light bulb tunicates,Clavelina lepadiformis,a chordate from waters off Lundy Island,North Devon,U.K. They feed by cilary currents,have gill slits for gas exchange and a reduced nervous system. Blood vessels are not present in tunicates instead only a few blood channels. The tubular heart,situated on the ventral side posterior to the pharynx,contracts in a wave like manner; this has the effect of pumping blood through the body. When mature all tunicates are haemaphrodite,though the gonads mature at different times reducing the possibility of self-fertilization | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Gornacz, Dr. George |
Taille de l’image : | 5232 px × 3564 px |
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Property Release : | Non requis |
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