1/ Are you sitting down? Get comfy, this one's a doozy: Here's a PSA about the alternation of generations and sequential hermaphroditism of Thetys vagina salps. 
2/
• These are salps—filter-feeding, gelatinous drifters.
• Their scientific name is Thetys vagina.
• Vagina salps come in two morphs: solitary (📸 1) and chains (📸 2)
• Joe Platko took these photos this week off Cannery Row. Thanks Joe! mbayaq.co/2D1br75
• These are salps—filter-feeding, gelatinous drifters.
• Their scientific name is Thetys vagina.
• Vagina salps come in two morphs: solitary (📸 1) and chains (📸 2)
• Joe Platko took these photos this week off Cannery Row. Thanks Joe! mbayaq.co/2D1br75
3/
• Solitary salps produce the chains asexually—you can see a rope of clones (the stolon) forming in the salp's "belly," each small orb being the gut of one salp in the chain.
• Chains of the clonal individuals can be tens of feet long. The chain here was about 3 feet long.
• Solitary salps produce the chains asexually—you can see a rope of clones (the stolon) forming in the salp's "belly," each small orb being the gut of one salp in the chain.
• Chains of the clonal individuals can be tens of feet long. The chain here was about 3 feet long.
4/
• The chains reproduce sexually, beginning life as females and producing eggs.
• When the female chain has been fertilized by a male chain, solitary salps are produced.
• The female chain then becomes a male chain and will fertilize younger female chains.
• The chains reproduce sexually, beginning life as females and producing eggs.
• When the female chain has been fertilized by a male chain, solitary salps are produced.
• The female chain then becomes a male chain and will fertilize younger female chains.
5/
• Known as "alternation of generations" this type of reproductive strategy is thought to help salp populations explode when conditions are right.
• Salps may be crucial to the carbon cycle and regulating the climate, as their poo pellets sink carbon into the deep sea.
• Known as "alternation of generations" this type of reproductive strategy is thought to help salp populations explode when conditions are right.
• Salps may be crucial to the carbon cycle and regulating the climate, as their poo pellets sink carbon into the deep sea.
6/ FAQ
• We know—supposedly they were named when "vagina" just meant "sheath" and not applied to anatomy yet but idk 🤷♂️
• "Thetys" refers to a Greek sea goddess. "Tethys" was Titan of fresh water.
• They don't sting! They're closer to fishes and people than to jellyfish!
• We know—supposedly they were named when "vagina" just meant "sheath" and not applied to anatomy yet but idk 🤷♂️
• "Thetys" refers to a Greek sea goddess. "Tethys" was Titan of fresh water.
• They don't sting! They're closer to fishes and people than to jellyfish!
