''Molgula manhattensis'', commonly known as "sea grapes", is a species of ascidian commonly found along the

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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.

Description

''Molgula manhattensis'' is small, spherical, brownish-grey in color, somewhat translucent, and feels soft and rubbery to the touch. Like other ascidians, they have two siphons (incurrent and excurrent), through which they draw water for ventilation and filter-feeding, and also for releasing their gametes. They are hermaphroditic, and release sperm and eggs into the water for external fertilization, unlike some other species of ''Molgula'' which may be viviparous (e.g. '' M. citrina''). The tunic is covered with many little fibrils.

Habitat

''Molgula manhattensis'' can live from the

intertidal zone The intertidal zone, also known as the foreshore, is the area above water level at low tide and underwater at high tide (in other words, the area within the tidal range). This area can include several types of habitats with various species o ...

to a depth of 300 feet. They can attach to solid organisms or even rocks, pilings, buoys, or sand. The sea squirts can also live in a temperature range of about 50 °F to about 80 °F. They can live in water with a

salinity Salinity () is the saltiness or amount of salt dissolved in a body of water, called saline water (see also soil salinity). It is usually measured in g/L or g/kg (grams of salt per liter/kilogram of water; the latter is dimensionless and equal ...

of 33.270 to 36.231 PSS, with oxygen concentrations between 3.960 and 6.328 mL/L.

History

''Mogula manhattensis'' is native to the

of the United States and to waters around Europe. It is also found on the West Coast of the United States and to parts of Asia. Adults can live off of almost anything making them very good survivors in bodies of water though they prefer protected waters. The larvae can only live for a few days unless it attaches to a hard surface (similar to oysters and mussels).

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q4923874 Stolidobranchia