Star ascidian  (Botryllus schlosseri)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

Very common and widespread around the coasts of Britain. It also occurs around Ireland and in mainland Europe from the Faeroe Islands and Norway, reaching as far south as the Mediterranean. It is also known from the western Atlantic along parts of the coast of North America, where it is thought to have been introduced on the hulls of ships (2).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

Typically occurs on the lower shore and in shallow depths, but has been recorded at depths of several hundred meters (2). It seems to fare particularly well in sheltered sites, such as docks, and grows on a wide range of stable substrates including rock, algae and artificial surfaces (2).

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