Among all of the seas creatures, few can match the growth prowess of
salps. Salpa fusiformis
is among the stellar performers in this group, with
growth rates of up to 40% increase in body length per day measured in some
populations. As with other Salpa
, this species has a compact gut
nucleus, which distinguishes it from the Cyclosalpa
individuals have body lengths between 1 and 5 cm and 9 muscle bands. Aggregate
individuals have lengths from 0.5 to 4 cm and have 6 body muscles. Their distinctive
fusiform shape with a posterior and anterior projection make species identification
relatively easy. Individuals within a chain are aligned in the same direction as the
chain axis, facilitating the relatively rapid swimming speed of aggregates. They
tend to break off the chains and are often seen singly. Salpa fusiformis
is a vertical migrator with nightly treks to the surface of up to 500 meters. Large
widespread surface swarms that persist for weeks occur on occasion in Monterey
Bay and throughout the West Coast (see second photo).
During these periods many salps may wash up on beaches. This abundant species of the
Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans is primarily oceanic with occasional nearshore
swarms. Along the West Coast, it can be found as far north as the Bering Sea.
All photographs © David
Wrobel and may not be used or copied without permission!
[ Cyclosalpa affinis ] [ Cyclosalpa bakeri ] [ Dolioletta ] [ Helicosalpa ] [ Iasis ] [ Oikopleura ] [ Pegea ] [ Pyrosoma ] [ Salpa ] [ Thalia ] [ Thetys ] [ Weelia ]