Botryllus schlosseri (Star sea squirt, Golden star ascidian)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Tunicata > Ascidiacea (sea squirts) > Phlebobranchia > Family: Styelidae > Genus: Botryllus

Botryllus schlosseri (Star sea squirt, Golden star ascidian). [photo CL Griffiths ©]

Distribution and habitat

Considered to be native to Europe. Introduced to other parts of the world, including South Africa where it has been recorded in harbours from Alexander Bay to Durban (Picker and Griffiths 2011).

Publications

• Branch GM, Griffiths CL, Branch ML, Beckley LE. 2017. Two oceans - a guide to the marine life of southern Africa (4th Edition). Penguin Random House South Africa, Cape Town. More details...
• Monniot C, Monniot F and Griffiths CL. 2001. South African ascidians. Annals of the South African Museum 108(1): 1-141.
• Picker M and Griffiths C. 2011. Alien and Invasive Animals - A South African Perspective. Struik Nature, Cape Town.

Text by Hamish Robertson