Description: A smooth rounded red sea squirt found in densely aggregated colonies. The small individuals have a common basal test, and increase in number by budding. The siphons have a six lobed appearance on partial contraction, which is distinctive. 5-8mm in diameter.

Habitat: Characteristic of the infralittoral, occurring on rock, kelp holdfasts and algae.

Distribution: Apparently a southern species in the British Isles, quite common on the south coast of England as far east as Dorset, and occurring on the west coast of Ireland.

Similar Species: Easily and frequently mistaken for Dendrodoa grossularia, leading to confusion over distribution.

Key Identification Features:

• Dense aggregations of small shiny red individuals.
• 6-lobed appearance of siphons.
• Internal anatomy, with numerous small gonads scattered in body wall.

Distribution Map from NBN: Distomus variolosus at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Distomus variolosus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Distomus variolosus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Distomus variolosus Gaertner, 1774. AphiaID: 103890.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Tunicata; Ascidiacea; Stolidobranchia; Styelidae; Distomus