Gustavo Muniz Dias

Common colonial ascidian in the marina of YCI.

A relatively common sponge in shaded substrates.

Picture that illustrates the biodiversity that can be found in an area of ​​approximately 10 cm2. Among the most visible groups, bivalves (Isognomon bicolor) and various species of sea squirts, sponges and bryozoans are the ones that stand out.

The gastropod Lamellaria mopsicolor uses the ascidians of the family Didemnidae as food and as a place to incubate their eggs. They always mimic the color of the ascidian host.

Ascidians and other encrusting organisms.

Ascidians and other encrusting organisms.

Black urchin close to an pioneer ascidian (Didemnum perlucidum), a species with great capacity for rapid occupation of space.

Ascidians and other encrusting organisms.

Colonial ascidian, sponges and green algae.

Colonial ascidian and sponges.

This species of sea squirt Polyclinum sp. was not on the lists of species in the region. It is unknown if it is a rare species or an exotic animal.

Colonial ascidian occupying large extensions of vertical walls. Sea squirts are filter feeding organisms that feed on organic particles in suspension. The oral and atrial siphons, through which water enters and leaves, respectively, are clearly visible for each zooid.

The gastropod Lamellaria mopsicolor uses the ascidians of the family Didemnidae as food and as a place to incubate their eggs. They always mimic the color of the ascidian host.

Species of sponge with fused spicules forming structures like thorns. Out of the water, this animal disintegrates easily, which requires extreme care in handling.

A consumer feeding on the fouling community, the crab Cronius ruber competes with the introduced crab Charybdis hellerii of the Indo-Pacific .