BIOTIC Species Information for Botryllus schlosseri
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| Researched by | Lizzie Tyler | Data supplied by | University of Sheffield | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed. | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Botryllus schlosseri | Common name | Star ascidian | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | ZD126 | Recent Synonyms | None | ||||||||||||
| Phylum | Chordata | Subphylum | Tunicata | ||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Ascidiacea | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Order | Pleurogona | |||||||||||||
| Suborder | Stolidobranchiata | Family | Styelidae | ||||||||||||
| Genus | Botryllus | Species | schlosseri | ||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | No text entered | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Berril, 1950, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Cushion Crustose soft |
Feeding method | Passive suspension feeder Active suspension feeder |
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| Mobility/Movement | Permanent attachment |
Environmental position | Epifaunal Epilithic |
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| Typical food types | Suspended particulates. | Habit | Attached | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Not relevant | Flexibility | High (>45 degrees) | ||||||||||||
| Fragility | Intermediate | Size | Medium(11-20 cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | Growth Rate | Insufficient information | |||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | 100-1000m | Dependency | Independent | ||||||||||||
| Sociability | Colonial | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | Colonies that encrust algae may completely cover their substratum and appear pendant-like. Provides a source of food for cowries (Trivia spp.). | ||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Chadwick-Furman & Weissman, 1995, Berril, 1950, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Found all around Britain and Ireland | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Present from the Faeroe Islands and west and south Norway to the Mediterranean including the Adriatic and Black Seas. Also present in the western Atlantic from Maine to New Jersey and in Florida. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Not researched | Depth range | |||||||||||||
| Migratory | Non-migratory / Resident | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | Populations in the western Atlantic may have arrived on shipping and it is likely that, as a fast-growing fouling organism, Botryllus schlosseri may spread readily to other parts of the world. | ||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Bedrock Cobbles Large to very large boulders Small boulders |
Physiographic preferences | Open coast Strait / sound Sealoch Ria / Voe |
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| Biological zone | Lower Eulittoral Sublittoral Fringe Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral Upper Circalittoral |
Wave exposure | Moderately Exposed Very Exposed Exposed Sheltered Very Sheltered |
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| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Very Strong (>6 kn) Strong (3-6 kn) Moderately Strong (1-3 kn) Weak (<1 kn) Very Weak (negligible) |
Salinity | Full (30-40 psu) Variable (18-40 psu) |
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| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Berril, 1950, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Fission Permanent hermaphrodite |
Developmental mechanism | Lecithotrophic |
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| Reproductive Season | Insufficient information | Reproductive Location | As adult | ||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Regeneration potential | No | |||||||||||||
| Life span | 1 year | Age at reproductive maturity | <1 year | ||||||||||||
| Generation time | <1 year | Fecundity | 8 | ||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | Fertilization type | Self-fertile | |||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | Up to eight eggs are produced per zooid. After fertilization and development to a tadpole stage, the tadpole is released and is free swimming for up to 36 hours (Berrill 1950; Berrill, 1975). | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | Chadwick-Furman & Weissman, 1995, Berril, 1950, Berril, 1975, Eckert, 2003, | ||||||||||||||
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