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Name a species competition : Phallusia mammillata
Name a species competition: Phallusia mammillata. Photograph: Paul Naylor/marinephoto.co.uk/Natural England
Name a species competition: Phallusia mammillata. Photograph: Paul Naylor/marinephoto.co.uk/Natural England

Phallusia mammillata – Britain's largest sea squirt

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Description

A large sea squirt – up to 12 cm long

Ecology

Adult sea squirts have an unusual circulation system in which blood is pumped in one direction for several seconds and then in the opposite direction for the same length of time. This species has a tough, leathery "tunic" that is milk-white in appearance. It's the largest British sea squirt – large enough that small anemones can sometimes be found living on it.

Distribution

Found along the south and south-west English coast.

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