These rocks
live on the coast of Peru and Chile. Two siphons connect the organisms
to the surrounding ocean, where one is used to exhale and the other to
inhale. They feed on sea water by inhaling and filtering out all edible
microalgae by use of a moving layer of mucus found in its enlarged
pharynx. The other siphon is then used to exhale the water out. The
Pharynx acts as the organism’s mouth and is connected to its digestive
tract.
The Pyura
chilensis contains clear blood and high quantities of vanadium, a rare
and mysterious element. The vanadium is 10 million times more in the
creature than in sea water. How they are able to accumulate high
quantities of vanadium and what part it plays in the creature’s
development is not yet known.
These rocks
belong to the Ascidiacea non-moving class of sac-like invertebrate
marine filter feeders, known in other words as sea squirts. Since they
cannot move around in search of mates, the Pyura chilensis are
hermaphroditic. They are born male but over time grow female organs.
Breeding involves the unique and fascinating release of both sperms and
eggs into a fertile cloud, where they meet to form off springs that are
tiny and tadpole-like. These eventually settle on rocks nearby and grow
into adult form.
The Pyura
chilensis belongs to the Tunicata Subphylum class due to the thick
“Tunics” made of Tunicin that cover it. These help them blend into the
surroundings. The Tunicin is a hard matrix of molecules that assist the
creatures attach themselves on to hard surfaces. An epidermis and
muscular band lines the insides of the tunics. Seeing one of these
creatures sliced in half is the most bizarre thing ever because inside
these Tunics is a tissue like mass that is bright red and that will
leave you flabbergasted.
The raw insides
of this alien-like organism are a delicacy and are used as ingredients
for stews or eaten in their raw form. Locals describe them as having a
“bitter” and “soapy” taste that has a “weird iodine flavor”. For many
years, the Chilean and Peruvian locals have been fishing the Pyura
chilensis for commercial use.
source:[www.odditycentral.com]
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| Image source: www.odditycentral.com |
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| Image source: www.odditycentral.com |
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| Image source: www.odditycentral.com |
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| Image source: www.odditycentral.com |
source:[www.odditycentral.com]