Ciona intestinalis

Ciona intestinalis, commonly known as the sea squirt, is a marine invertebrate found in coastal waters worldwide. It belongs to a group called tunicates, which are simple animals with a sac-like body. Sea squirts are notable for their filter-feeding habits, drawing in water to extract food particles. They have a unique life cycle, featuring a larval stage that resembles a tadpole, which later settles and transforms into the adult form. Ciona is of scientific interest for studies in developmental biology and evolution, as it shares DNA similarities with vertebrates, including humans.