Molgula manhattensis
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| Molgula manhattensis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Tunicata |
| Class: | Ascidiacea |
| Order: | Stolidobranchia |
| Family: | Molgulidae |
| Genus: | Molgula |
| Species: | M. manhattensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Molgula manhattensis (De Kay, 1843) | |
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.[1]
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.[citation needed] 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).[2][3] The tunic is covered with many little fibrils.[4]