Stalked deep-sea ascidian, collected in North Atlantic Ocean, 1905

This stalked sea squirt, Boltenia sp., was found attached to an undersea cable. The cable was laid in 1882 in the North Atlantic and when it was brought up for repair or replacement in 1901 it was encrusted with a variety of invertebrates.

This is a solitary ascidian unlike many other ascidians which are found in colonies. It has a long stalk and looks more like an undersea flower than an animal. It feeds by filtering seawater and removing the plankton. After sexual reproduction a tadpole like larvae is produced. This swims around for only a few hours before settling down onto a hard substrate and changing into its adult form.

It is an important specimen because of its rather unique origins.