Stolonica socialis Hartmeyer, 1903

Stolonica socialis

Description: A colonial ascidian in which the individuals arise singly from a stoloniferous base, resulting in dense aggregations. The test is thin and semi-transparent, yellow to pale orange in colour. Two plain round siphons diverge slightly and arise from the top of the body. Individuals are 15-20mm tall by 5-10mm broad.

Habitat: May be locally common in sand-scoured habitats, attached in large groups to bedrock or boulders.

Distribution: A southern species occurring as far north as NW Ireland but not presently known from western Scotland. On the Irish coast it is very localised, being quite common on parts of the Donegal coast, but absent from most of the west coast and common again in the south-east.

Similar Species: The species most likely to be confused with Stolonica are Dendrodoa grossularia and Distomus variolosus.

Key Identification Features:

• Oval shape, 2 times as tall as broad.
• Pale yellow-orange in colour.
• Smooth clean test.

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