Sea squirt

Sea squirts, also known as tunicates, are marine animals that belong to the same group as vertebrates but have a simple, sac-like body. They attach to rocks or other surfaces in the ocean and filter food particles from the water using a pharyngeal basket. As juveniles, sea squirts have a notochord, a primitive backbone-like structure, but this disappears as they mature. They are important for marine ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling and serving as prey for other animals. Despite their appearance, they are fascinating creatures with evolutionary links to the development of vertebrates.