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Colonial Tunicate Video Stock Footage
A colony of P. atlanticum is cylindrical and can grow up to 60 cm (2.0 ft) long and 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in) wide. The constituent zooids form a rigid tube, which may be pale pink, yellowish, or bluish. One end of the tube is narrower and is closed, while the other is open and has a strong diaphragm. The outer surface or test is gelatinised and dimpled with backward-pointing, blunt processes. The individual zooids are up to 8.5 mm (0.33 in) long and have a broad, rounded branchial sac with gill slits. Along the side of the branchial sac runs the endostyle, which produces mucus filters. Water is moved through the gill slits into the centre of the cylinder by cilia pulsating rhythmically. Plankton and other food particles are caught in mucus filters in the processes as the colony is propelled through the water. P. atlanticum is bioluminescent and can generate a brilliant blue-green light when stimulated. Learn more about Colonial Tunicate
View related species in family group: Sea Squirt and Tunicate
Animalia: Chordata: Pyrosomatida: Thaliacea: Pyrosomatidae: Pyrosoma atlanticum