Botrylloides violaceus

Chain tunicate:

Chain tunicate (Botrylloides violaceus): This invasive species is fairly common as a fouling organism on boat hulls, on mooring structures, and under docks. Any sighting in a remote setting, or further than half a mile from harbors, floathouses, and docks, should be reported as soon as convenient to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1-877-INVASIV.

This species can be identified thanks to the organization of its zooids into rows. each individual has one incurrent siphon, and those tend to be organized in parallel rows or elongated ovals.

The colonies start flat, and eventually acquire lobes. The color varies from almost black to bright yellow. orange is the most common color. Colonies are a few square feet in area, and grow easily on everything from PVC to steel and ropes. Marine vomit (Didemnum vexillum), in contrast, generally does not appear to thrive on PVC or steel in our region.

Local Notes

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References

Weblinks

• WoRMS page for Botrylloides violaceus
• sfei.org page for Botrylloides violaceus

• WoRMS Page for Botrylloides violaceus
• Search Arctos Database for Botrylloides violaceus (Southeast only)
• Search Arctos Database for Botrylloides violaceus (entire database)
• Encyclopedia of Life search for Botrylloides violaceus
• iNaturalist Observations for Botrylloides violaceus in Southeast Alaska

Other References

• Lambert Sanamyan 2001
• Lamb Hanby 2005

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  Chain tunicate (Botrylloides violaceus)

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