Botrylloides Violaceus

Botrylloides Galore At St Helens

September 22, 2023 by Jade Craven

I recently shared how I discovered a colony of Botrylloides Diegensis at Eastern Beach. I was contacted the next day asking if a local field nats group could use my photo as part of a future guide.

I instantly agreed, but part of me was reluctant because the photo was so blurry. I figured out what was causing the issues with focus and decided to return to St Helens with the goals of getting better photos.

My trip was a success. I was able to get photos showing different colours and it growing on different substrates. I’m impressed with the quality of the photos, especially as I was dangling my arm over the edge of the pontoon and hoping to get the image in focus. It allows me o see more of the key features, which will make it a lot easier to learn what they actually are.

I’m now uploading all images to iNaturalist to help me keep track of my observations.

More Critters From St Helens Boat Ramp

March 13, 2023 by Jade Craven

Botrylloides violaceus

These are the other photos I took on my first visit to St Helens with the Olympus TG 6.

I also didn’t realize that botryllus and botrylloides are two different genus until the above ascidian was identified. Marine life identification definitely surpasses all my other interests in terms of difficulty – and confusion!

Possible Botrylloides Violaceus At Apollo Bay Harbour

September 29, 2020 by Jade Craven

This is yet another example of mum discovering something interesting while I was in bed, sleep. My mum and nephew had gone rockpooling in the harbour when she noticed this specimen. It piqued the interest of my field naturalist club friend, who had suggested that is slightly resembled Botrylloides violaceus.

B. violaceaus differs from B. Schlosseri due to having double lines instead of the star/ring shape. And, unlike B. Leachii, it is the one colour.

I wasn’t able to photograph this exact specimen again this trip, due to being overwhelmed and not being sure what to photograph. I now have a better idea of what to get next time.

I agree that it doesn’t look like the typical Botryllus schlosseri. It could be because it is the only one I saw on a plant, and parts of the plant could be obscuring it. It could also just be the angle.

We will hopefully find out more next trip.