Bathochordaeus, the giant larvaceans, is a genus of larvacean tunicates in the family Oikopleuridae. They are free-swimming filter-feeding marine animals that build mucus bubbles. They eat tiny particles of dead or drifting organic material that float through the water column, which contribute to the oceanic carbon cycle and the accelerated transfer of carbon to the deep sea.[2]

Bathochordaeus
Bathochordaeus charon (A to C) and B. stygius (E to F)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Tunicata
Class: Appendicularia
Order: Copelata
Family: Oikopleuridae
Subfamily: Bathochordaeinae
Genus: Bathochordaeus
Chun, 1900[1]
Species

Description

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They are much larger than other genera of larvaceans, ranging from 3 to 10 centimeters in total length, with houses reaching more than 1 meter in diameter.[3]

Distribution

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Giant larvaceans are widespread through the planet's oceans, being found in the North and South Pacific Ocean, the North and South Atlantic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. Three species have been described, Bathochordaeus charon, B. mcnutti and B. stygius, all of them found in Monterey Bay.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Chun C. Aus den Tiefen des Weltmeeres. Jena: Gustav Fischer; 1900. pages 519–521
  2. ^ Sherlock, R. E.; Walz, K. R.; Robison, B. H. (2016-08-30). "The first definitive record of the giant larvacean, Bathochordaeus charon, since its original description in 1900 and a range extension to the northeast Pacific Ocean". Marine Biodiversity Records. 9 (1): 79. Bibcode:2016MBdR....9...79S. doi:10.1186/s41200-016-0075-9. ISSN 1755-2672.
  3. ^ a b Katija, Kakani; Sherlock, Rob E.; Sherman, Alana D.; Robison, Bruce H. (16 Aug 2017). "New technology reveals the role of giant larvaceans in oceanic carbon cycling". Science Advances. 3 (8). Bibcode:2017SciA....3E2374K. doi:10.1126/sciadv.1602374. PMC 5415331. PMID 28508058. S2CID 23179771.
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