What is salpe?

Salps are a type of planktonic tunicate, which are gelatinous marine organisms that live in the open ocean. They are transparent, barrel-shaped animals that range in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters in length. Salps are filter-feeders, which means they filter tiny organisms and particles out of the water using a mucus net and feed on them.

Salps can reproduce both sexually and asexually, depending on their life cycle stage. They have a complex life cycle that includes a solitary adult stage, a colonial aggregate stage, and a simple solitary juvenile stage. During their colonial stage, salps can form long chains, known as "salp chains," which are thought to help them stay afloat in the water.

Salps play an important role in ocean ecosystems as a food source for many predators, including whales, seabirds, and other marine animals. Additionally, they are known to be effective at removing carbon dioxide from the surface layer of the ocean, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.