Salpids

Salpids, also known as salps, are free-swimming pelagic tunicates that belong to the class Thaliacea. They are found in oceans worldwide, from the surface to the deep sea, and are particularly abundant in warmer waters. Salps are barrel-shaped and transparent, with a gelatinous body. They are filter feeders, drawing water through their bodies and extracting plankton and other small organisms for sustenance.

A distinctive feature of salpids is their life cycle, which involves a form of asexual reproduction called budding, followed by sexual reproduction. This alternation of generations results in solitary individuals and colonial forms, which can vary greatly in size and appearance. The solitary form is typically larger and reproduces sexually, while the colonial form is smaller and reproduces asexually, forming chains or aggregations of individuals.

Salpids play an important role in marine ecosystems. As efficient filter feeders, they can significantly impact phytoplankton populations, influencing the structure of planktonic communities. When salpids die, their bodies sink rapidly to the ocean floor, contributing to the biological carbon pump and transporting nutrients to the deep sea. Their transparent bodies and unique life cycle make them a fascinating subject of study for marine biologists.