Dendrodoa grossularia (van Beneden, 1846)

Dendrodoa grossularia

Description: This solitary sea squirt often occurs in dense aggregations. Individuals are rounded in shape and bright red or orange red in colour. The two siphons project from the upper side of the body and are round in cross-section. In silty conditions the test is often discoloured and becomes brown or blackened.

Habitat: Found in a wide range of habitats, from very exposed shallow surge gullies to shells and stones in sheltered conditions.

Distribution: Common and widespread around the British Isles.

Similar Species: This species is similar in external appearance to Distomus variolosus, Stolonica socialis and Polycarpa scuba. Styela coriacea is like a solitary Dendrodoa which has an apron around the base and grows on shells. It can be common in the north of Britain.

Key Identification Features:

• Rounded orange-red body.
• Smooth round terminal siphons.
• Internal anatomy, with single basal gonad.

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database