APHOTOMARINE
An educational resource dedicated mainly to the photography
and diversity of marine life that can be found in coastal waters
and intertidal areas of Great Britain and Ireland by David Fenwick.
Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Star ascidian (Tunicate images)
Scroll down and rollover titles to change screen image or click on title to view image.
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- colony under rock 1
Botryllus schlosseri
- colony under rock 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- close-up of above 1
Specimen above found under a rock on the lowershore at Albert Pier reef, Penzance, Cornwall, 24.05.20.
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- underwater 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- underwater 2
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- underwater / in aquarium 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- underwater / in aquarium 2
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- juvenile colony 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- extreme close-up 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- extreme close-up 2
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- extreme close-up 3
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- extreme close-up 4
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- extreme close-up / yellow 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- on Furbelows 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- on Saw Wrack 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- on rock / black
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- on rock / black / close-up
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- close-up / brown - yellow 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- close-up / brown - yellow 2
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- extreme close-up / blue
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- on rock / red
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- extreme close-up / red
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- close-up
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- close-up on rock / blue
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- extreme close-up / blue
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- close-up / white
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- extreme close-up / white 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- extreme close-up / white 2
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- close-up / brown - yellow 3
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- on weed stalk 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- on weed stalk 2
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- colony under rock 2
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- colony under rock 3
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- colony under rock 4
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- yellow / under stone 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- yellow / under stone 2
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- yellow / under stone 3
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- yellow squirt on red algae 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- brown 1
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- brown 2
Star ascidian sea squirt
Botryllus schlosseri
- brown 3
Images of species taken widely across the south Devon and Cornwall coast, and at various times of the year.
As seen here there is great variation in the colour of this species. On finding it, it is worth checking for the prescence of sea slugs and flatworms that are known to feed on it. They may be difficult to see as they are often well camoflaged.
Scientific and European Names:
Botryllus schlosseri, Star ascidian, Golden star tunicate, Star squirt, Gesterde Geleikorst, Paarse Geleikorst, Botrylle etoile, Stern-Seescheide.
The main objective of this website is in furthering environmental awareness and education through the medium of photography. To increase awareness and access to the wildlife of the region and help
people find and identify it. Sometimes the difference between species is obvious but many species can only be determined by observing microscopic characteristics that are specific to any one species.