TUNICATA : Stolidobranchia : StyelidaeSEA SQUIRTS

Botryllus renierii (Lamarck, 1815)

Star Ascidian


Description: A colonial ascidian forming compact sheets. Zooids are elliptical and are arranged in star-systems around common cloacal openings, with typically 6-10 zooids in a system. 6 mm thick x 70 mm wide sheets.

Habitat: A common ascidian, occurring on seaweeds and kelp stipes in shallow water, and on exposed rock surfaces. Commonest in places with considerable wave or current exposure.

Distribution: Probably widespread and common all round the British Isles.

Similar Species: Recently split from Botryllus schlosseri, which is a species complex.

Key Identification Features:

  • Honeycomb-like arrangement of zooid systems.
  • Colour blue or yellow.
  • Small red spot adjacent to oral siphon.

iNaturalist: Botryllus renierii at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Botryllus renierii at World Register of Marine Species.

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 Picton, B.E., Keatley, L. & Morrow, C.C. (2026). Botryllus renierii. (Lamarck, 1815). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://habitas.org/mbdp/species.php?item=ZD2096. Accessed on 2026-11-01