Botrylloides violaceus Oka, 1927
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
The colony-forming sea squirt Botrylloides violaceus was originally only found in the northwest of the Pacific Ocean. Transported via attachment to ship hulls or to living marine organisms, the species reached Europe before 1998, where it spread further through attachment on yachts. Established colonies of this sea squirt were observed for the first time along the Belgian coast in 2004 in the port of Zeebrugge. Different colonies of this species are known to display different colourations (including pink, yellow and orange). Occasionally different specimens within a single colony can display a different colouration.
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The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.
There is 1 barcode sequence available from BOLD and GenBank.
Below is the sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.
See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen.
Other sequences that do not yet meet barcode criteria may also be available.
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Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 1
Specimens with Barcodes: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1
Genomic DNA is available from 3 specimens with morphological vouchers housed at British Antarctic Survey
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| Source | http://www.oglf.org/catalog/details.php?id=T00377 |
United States
Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable
Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked
Botrylloides violaceus is a colonial tunicate of the genus Botrylloides. Its native range is the in Northwest Pacific from Southern China to Japan and Siberia.[1] Colonies attach and grow on solid surfaces and substrates, and consist of individuals arranged in twisting rows. Outside its native range, it is considered an invasive species and are becoming more common in coastal waters of North America and other waters around the world, likely being spread by shipping industries.[2]
In the San Francisco Bay area, B. violaceus can be readily found on boat docks in the Richmond Marina. The ecological impact of B. viollaceus in this region remains unknown.
Description[edit]
Zooids are embedded in a transparent tunic and are all connected to one another by a network of blood vessels that terminate in ampullae (small sac-like structures) at the periphery of the colony. Their color varies from bright orange to reddish or dull purple. These tunicates usually have 8 branchial tentacles and 11 rows of stigmata.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ Cohen, Andrew N. (2005). "Botrylloides violaceus". Guide to the Exotic Species of San Francisco Bay. San Francisco Estuary Institute. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
- ^ Fuller, Pam (2006-04-24). "NAS - Species FactSheet (Botrylloides violaceus)". USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
- ^ Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (2004). "Fact sheet 15". NON-INDIGENOUS AQUATIC SPECIES OF CONCERN FOR ALASKA. Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
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| Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Botrylloides_violaceus&oldid=652022571 |
This species is a compound, colonial ascidian, with small, bean-shaped zooids embedded in a common matrix or tunic. The colony grows to form encrusting patches that typically reach 3-4 mm in thickness and 2-30 cm in diameter. Individual zooids are positioned vertically relative to the substrate, and are organized into elongated, meandering systems, each measuring 0.5-1 cm in width. Each zooid grows approximately 3 mm in length. Zooids are characterized by 16 branchial tentacles located on the inside of the oral siphon, and a pharynx with 10-11 rows of stigmata. Each colony is a solid color, either cream, yellow, orange, rose, purple, or brown.
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| Rights holder/Author | Frey, Melissa, Frey, Melissa, Marine Invaders of the NE Pacific |
| Source | http://marineinvaders.lifedesks.org/pages/599 |
Botrylloides violaceus is a colonial sea squirt forming lobed sheets usually 2-3 mm in thickness. Individual colonies are always one colour. The colonies can be different colours, e.g. dark brown, brick red, orange, purple and yellow. The zooids are arranged in a variety of ways, roughly oval groups or meandering, occasionally branching, double rows or chains.A non-native species from Japan recorded in the UK for the first time in 2004. The one-toned colouration of Botrylloides violaceus distinguishes it from Botrylloides leachi and Botryllus schlosseri. Furthermore, Botryllus schlosseri has star-like zooid arrangements.
Depending on the season (July to September) it is possible to see the larvae within the colony due to their large size and spherical shape. The larvae are brooded separately from the zooids and are usually a dark pink or purple regardless of the colony colour so stand out and are large enough to see without a hand lens. (Larval information; G. Lambert pers. comm.). The released tadpole larvae have a ring of 25-30 vascular ampullae around the trunk (see image).
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| Rights holder/Author | ©1998-2011, The Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom |
| Source | http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=2791 |
United States
Origin: Exotic
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round