Phoronis vancouverensis

Phylum Phoronida
Order
Class
Genus Phoronis
Species vancouverensis

Description: Individuals are 5 to 6 mm wide, and 2 to 3 cm long, forming colonies over 5 cm across; transparent, almost colorless; body is long and cylindrical without paired appendages or specialized areas; these tube-dwelling lophophores secrete parchment- like tubes on which sand, silt, and other foreign particles accumulate; lophophore has a double row of coiled, unbranched tentacles that are arranged in a horseshoe pattern; mouth is located in the middle of the lophophore, and due to a ÒU-shapedÓ digestive system the anus is located at this end also.

Habitat: Found at the low-tide line in areas where silt accumulates. They are usually attached to rocks or shells, but can be found on floats, pilings or docks.

Natural History: Ciliary action creates water currents which passes between two rows of tentacles. Particles of silt are trapped in the fine mucous coating of the tentacles. The food particles are extracted and transported to the mouth by the cilia. We found these animals at East Bay Marina.