Shenkar, N.; Gittenberger, A.; Lambert, G.; Rius, M.; Moreira da Rocha, R.; Swalla, B.J.; Turon, X. (2026). Ascidiacea World Database. Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=103862 on 2026-02-11
accepted
Valid name (ICZN) or name considered to be taxonomically correct (ICBN)
Species
Observations sur les Ascidies composées des côtes de la Manche
Milne Edwards, H. (1841). Observations sur les Ascidies composées des côtes de la Manche. Mémoires de l'Académie des Sciences de l'Institut de France. 18: 217-326.
Savigny, J. C. (1816). Memoires sur les animaux sans vertebres. Paris. 2: 1-239.
Descriptions of some imperfectly known and new ascidians from New England
Verrill, A. E. (1871). Descriptions of some imperfectly known and new ascidians from New England. American Journal of Science series 3. 1: 54-58, 93-100, 211-212, 288-294, 443-446.
Additions to the mollusca of Northumberland and Durham
Alder, J.; Hancock, A. (1848). Additions to the mollusca of Northumberland and Durham. Trans. Tyneside Field Club. 1: 195-207.
Gaertner, J. (1774). Zoophyta, quaedam minuta. In: Pallas, P.S., Specilegia Zoologia. Berolini: G.A. Lange. fasc. 10: 24-41.
British Fauna, containing a compendium of the zoology of the British Islands; arranged according to the Linnean system.
Turton, W. (1807). British Fauna, containing a compendium of the zoology of the British Islands; arranged according to the Linnean system. Vol. 1, Mammalia, birds, Amphibia, fishes and worms. 1-230.
A singular mode of propagation among the lower animals illustrated
Dalyell, J. D. (1839). A singular mode of propagation among the lower animals illustrated. Edinburgh New Philosophy Journal. 26: 162-158.
Recherches sur les Ascidies composées ou Synascidies. [Research on compound ascidians or synascidians.]
Giard, A. (1872). Recherches sur les Ascidies composées ou Synascidies. [Research on compound ascidians or synascidians.]. Archives de Zoologie Expérimentale et Générale. 1:501-687, pls. 25-30. (Copepoda: 555).
Ascidien (continuation of work by Seeliger)
Hartmeyer, R. (1909-1911). Ascidien (continuation of work by Seeliger). In: Bronn, H.G., Klassen und Ordnungen des Tier-reichs. Leipzig, 3, suppl. psts. 81-98,: 1281-1773.
Elenchus zoophytorum sistens generum adumbrationes generaliores et specierum cognitarum succintas descriptiones, cum selectis auctorum synonymis. [List of zoophytes containing general outlines of genera and brief descriptions of known species, with selected synonyms of the authors.]
Pallas, P. S. (1766). Elenchus zoophytorum sistens generum adumbrationes generaliores et specierum cognitarum succintas descriptiones, cum selectis auctorum synonymis. [List of zoophytes containing general outlines of genera and brief descriptions of known species, with selected synonyms of the authors.]. Fransiscum Varrentrapp, Hagae. 451 pp.
Contribuzioni alla storia naturalle delle Ascidie Composte del Golfo di Napoli
Della Valle, A. (1877). Contribuzioni alla storia naturalle delle Ascidie Composte del Golfo di Napoli. Napoli, tip. Comuni. 48 p.
Building the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN): a novel approach for the exploration of distributed alien species data.
Katsanevakis, S.; Bogucarskis, K.; Gatto, F.; Vandekerkhove, J.; Deriu, I.; Cardoso A.S. (2012). Building the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN): a novel approach for the exploration of distributed alien species data. BioInvasions Records. 1: 235-245.
Kott P. & Goodbody I. (1982). The ascidians of Hong Kong. In: Morton B, editor. Proceedings of the first international marine biological workshop: The marine flora and fauna of Hong Kong and southern China. Hong Kong University Press, Hong Kong. 1: pp 503-554.
Monniot, C. (2001). Ascidiacea & Sorberacea. In: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels. 50: pp. 352-355.
Guide to identification of marine and estuarine invertebrates: Cape Hatteras to the Bay of Fundy
Gosner, K. L. (1971). Guide to identification of marine and estuarine invertebrates: Cape Hatteras to the Bay of Fundy. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., London. 693 pp. [pdf copepod and branchiuran :445-455].
A checklist of marine fauna and flora of the Bay of Fundy
Linkletter, L. E. (1977). A checklist of marine fauna and flora of the Bay of Fundy. Huntsman Marine Laboratory, St. Andrews, N.B. 68: p.
Field guide to North American seashore creatures
Meinkoth, N. A. (1981). Field guide to North American seashore creatures. The Audubon Society. 1-799.
Miner, R. W. (1950). Field book of seashore life. G.P. Putnam & Sons. 1-888.
Marine and coastal systems of the Quoddy Region, New Brunswick
Thomas, M. L. H. (1983). Marine and coastal systems of the Quoddy Region, New Brunswick. Canadian Special Publication of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 64:1-306.
On a collection of ascidians from South Africa
Millar, R. H. (1955). On a collection of ascidians from South Africa. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 125(1): 169-221.
Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]
Muller, Y. (2004). Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]. Commission Régionale de Biologie Région Nord Pas-de-Calais: France. 307 pp.
The Australian Ascidiacea part 1, Phlebobranchia and Stolidobranchia
Kott, P. (1985). The Australian Ascidiacea part 1, Phlebobranchia and Stolidobranchia. Mem Qd Mus. 23: 1-440.
A Field Guide to the Atlantic Seashore. Invertebrates and Seaweeds of the Atlantic Coast from the Bay of Fundy to Cape Hatteras.
Gosner, K.L. (1979). A Field Guide to the Atlantic Seashore. Invertebrates and Seaweeds of the Atlantic Coast from the Bay of Fundy to Cape Hatteras. Wiley-Interscience, Boston. 329pp., figs. 1-72, pls. 1-64. [pdf copepods only].
Annotated list of marine alien species in the Mediterranean with records of the worst invasive species.
Zenetos, A., M.E. Cinar, M.A. Pancucci-Papadopoulou, J.G. Harmelin, G. Furnari, F. Andaloro, N. Bellou, N. Streftaris & H. Zibrowius. (2005). Annotated list of marine alien species in the Mediterranean with records of the worst invasive species. Mediterranean Marine Science. 6 (2): 63-118.
Phylum Tunicata: sea squirts, salps, appendicularians, New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: 1
Kott, P.; Bradford-Grieve, J.; Esnal, G.; Murdoch, R.C. (2009). Phylum Tunicata: sea squirts, salps, appendicularians, in: Gordon, D.P. (Ed.) (2009). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: 1. Kingdom Animalia: Radiata, Lophotrochozoa, Deuterostomia. pp. 409-430.
Tunicata (Urochordata) of the Gulf of Mexico
Cole, L. and G. Lambert. 2009. Tunicata (Urochordata) of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 1209–1216 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas.
[Checklist of marine biota of China seas]
Liu, J.Y. [Ruiyu] (ed.). (2008). [Checklist of marine biota of China seas]. China Science Press. 1267 pp.
Cobscook Bay inventory: a historical checklist of marine invertebrates spanning 162 years
Trott, T. J. (2004). Cobscook Bay inventory: a historical checklist of marine invertebrates spanning 162 years. Northeastern Naturalist. 11, 261-324.
Marine biofouling on recreational boats on swing moorings and berths
Brine, O.; Hunt, L.; Costello, M. J. (2013). Marine biofouling on recreational boats on swing moorings and berths. Management of Biological Invasions. 4(4): 327-341.
The marine fauna of the British Isles and North-West Europe: 1. Introduction and protozoans to arthropods.
Hayward, P.J. & J.S. Ryland (Eds.). (1990). The marine fauna of the British Isles and North-West Europe: 1. Introduction and protozoans to arthropods. Clarendon Press: Oxford, UK. 627 pp.
Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms (URMO)
van der Land, J. (ed). (2008). UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms (URMO).
Adaptation in marine invasion: a genetic perspective
Tepolt, C. K. (2014). Adaptation in marine invasion: a genetic perspective. Biological Invasions. 17(3): 887-903.
Texel (NL), 19.10.2007 (S. Weritz) Characteristics used for id: - brown-yellow-green - typical dots along outer edge - small round „blobs“ at base - groups of zooids - looks like a flower (older one/adult) References: HAYWARD & RYLAND, 1998; BULLARD & WHITLACH, 2004 Checked by A. Gittenberger (Naturalis, Leiden, NL)
Texel (NL), 15.06.2007 (C.J.M. Philippart) Characteristics used for id: - brown-yellow-green - typical dots along outer edge - small round „blobs“ at base - groups of zooids - looks like a flower (older one/adult) References: HAYWARD & RYLAND, 1998; BULLARD & WHITLACH, 2004 Checked by A. Gittenberger (Naturalis, Leiden, NL)
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Melisa Wong
Distribution for Botryllus violaceus Milne Edwards, 1841 - North Sea
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Oostende
Distribution for Botryllus violaceus Milne Edwards, 1841 - Adriatic Sea
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - British Isles
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - North Atlantic
Distribution for Botryllus violaceus Milne Edwards, 1841 - North Atlantic
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - North West Atlantic
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Sas van Goes
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Wimereux
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Zeeland
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - North Pacific
Distribution for Botryllus violaceus Milne Edwards, 1841 - North Pacific
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - New Zealand
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Florida
Distribution for Botryllus violaceus Milne Edwards, 1841 - California
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Durban Bay
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Gulf of Mexico
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Canada
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - European waters (ERMS scope)
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Arafura Sea
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - China Sea
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Great Australian Bight
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - South Africa (country)
Distribution for Botryllus violaceus Milne Edwards, 1841 - United States
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Greek Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Irish Exclusive economic Zone
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Australian Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Azores Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Tunisian Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Argentinean Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Mexican part of the North Pacific Ocean
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - United States part of the North Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - United States part of the North Pacific Ocean
Distribution for Botryllus violaceus Milne Edwards, 1841 - United States part of the North Pacific Ocean
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - United States part of the Gulf of Mexico
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - United Kingdom
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Coral Sea
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Gulf of Maine
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Bay of Fundy
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Rio de la Plata
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Solomon Sea
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Cobscook Bay
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Central Chile
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Coastal Waters of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia
Distribution for Botryllus violaceus Milne Edwards, 1841 - Coastal Waters of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - United States (Alaska) part of the Gulf of Alaska
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Alaskan part of the The Coastal Waters of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Algerian part of the Mediterranean Sea - Western Basin
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Argentinean part of the South Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Bermudian part of the North Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Brazilian part of the South Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Canadian part of the Bay of Fundy
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Canadian part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Canadian part of the North Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Botryllus violaceus Milne Edwards, 1841 - Canadian part of the North Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Canadian part of the Coastal Waters of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Chilean part of the South Pacific Ocean
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Madeiran part of the North Atlantic Ocean
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Maltese part of the Mediterranean Sea - Eastern Basin
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - New Zealand part of the South Pacific Ocean
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Slovenian part of the Adriatic Sea
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Spanish part of the Balearic Sea
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Kerkennah Islands
Distribution for Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas, 1766) - Alexander Bay
Alien
Species introduced by man into places out of their natural range of distribution
Origin unknown
Species whose origins cannot be verified OR a species whose origin has not been specified in the source information
Origin uncertain
Species whose biological status is uncertain i.e. it is uncertain if the species is native or alien to the location
Uncertain
Species whose invasiveness is uncertain
Invasive
Species that are known to be invasive- those species in whose cases evidence of impact has been recorded or which is spreading aggressively
Not specified
A species whose 'invasiveness' has not been specified in its introduced range. The species is known to be present and has been reported but there is no comment on its invasiveness
Reported
Species that are 'reported' to be present but with no further information
Established and expanding
Species that have become established in their introduced range and are known to be increasing in abundance and expanding their range
Established
Species that have become established in their introduced range
Established and stable
Species that have become established in their introduced range but are not known to be spreading aggressively