Salpa fusiformis

Salpa fusiformis, sometimes known as the common salp, is the most widespread species of salp. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, and can be found at depths of 0 to 800 m (0 to 2,625 ft). They exhibit diel vertical migration, moving closer to the surface at night. They can occur in very dense swarms, as solitary zooids or as colonies. Solitary zooids usually measure 22 to 52 mm (0.87 to 2.05 in) in length. They are barrel-shaped and elongated, with a rounded front and a flat rear. Aggregate zooids are 7 to 52 mm (0.28 to 2.05 in) in length individually (excluding projections). They are usually barrel or spindle-shaped.

Salpa fusiformis
1804 illustration by Georges Cuvier of Salpa fusiformis anatomy: A chain form; B solitary form; 1-9 : muscle bands; em - embryo; m - mantle; visc - visceral mass or nucleus
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Tunicata
Class: Thaliacea
Order: Salpida
Family: Salpidae
Genus: Salpa
Species:
S. fusiformis
Binomial name
Salpa fusiformis
Cuvier, 1804
Synonyms
  • Biphora depressa Sars, 1829
  • Biphora tricuspidata Sars, 1829
  • Salpa clostra Milne-Edwards, 1828
  • Salpa coerulea Quoy & Gaimard, 1834
  • Salpa emarginata Quoy & Gaimard, 1824
  • Salpa moniliformis Macculloch, 1819
  • Salpa pyramidalis Lesson, 1832
  • Salpa runcinata Chamisso, 1819
  • Salpa tricuspidata Sars, 1829
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