Herdmania

Herdmania is a genus of ascidians, also known as sea squirts, belonging to the family Pyuridae. These marine invertebrates are found in various oceans worldwide, typically attached to hard substrates in intertidal and subtidal zones.

Herdmania are filter feeders, drawing water into their bodies through an oral siphon, filtering out plankton and other organic particles, and expelling the water through an atrial siphon. They possess a characteristic tunic, or outer covering, which is often reddish or brownish in color and can be quite tough.

These ascidians exhibit a simple body plan, lacking a true notochord in their adult stage, though a notochord is present in the larval stage, classifying them within the Chordata phylum. The larvae undergo metamorphosis, settling down and attaching to a substrate, transforming into the sessile adult form.

Herdmania species are of interest to biologists studying invertebrate development, evolution, and the relationship between chordates and invertebrates. They are also used in some areas for research into marine pharmacology and potential biomedical applications. Specific identification to the species level often requires careful examination of internal anatomy.