Tunicate spicules

pwnell · Post by **pwnell** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:34 pm

Once again, I got a tunicate from my reef aquarium's sump and decided to see what makes it tick. Here is what I found.

The spicules can clearly be seen, acting as structural support I presume.
40x, DIC, Helicon Focus B+C (49 images)

20120904-DSLR_IMG_0309.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr

A single spicule at the maximum my microscope can handle
60x * 2, DIC

20120904-DSLR_IMG_0520.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr

Then an artistic rendering of some spicules showing how they light up under polarized lighting
10x * 2, Polarized

20120904-DSLR_IMG_0571.jpg by pwnell, on Flickr

Jacek · Post by **Jacek** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 2:53 am

Beautiful, it looks like snow

Pau · Post by **Pau** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:30 am

Excellent, they have the distintive Mercedes Benz quality

I wasn't aware of tunicates with spicules, do you know if they are organic or mineral composed?

pwnell · Post by **pwnell** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:53 am

Pau wrote:Excellent, they have the distintive Mercedes Benz quality
I wasn't aware of tunicates with spicules, do you know if they are organic or mineral composed?

Well I did use Sodium Hypochloride to dissolve the tissue of the tunicate, and the spicules remained untouched so I am confident they are mineral based.

pwnell · Post by **pwnell** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:55 am

It is *possible* that these animals are actually Syconoid sponges. I have conflicting information. They are white, obviously have spicules and grow in my sump. Will take a macro picture.

pwnell · Post by **pwnell** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 10:08 am

Here it is. This is about 2:1.