Orange Sheath Tunicate - Botrylloides violaceus
A colonial sea squirt that often overgrows mussels, barnacles, bryozoans, and solitary sea squirts.
This species is invasive and was likely introduced to the east coast from the Pacific Northwest. I found a bunch of these little blobs on the beach during low tide. When I saw the first one, I thought it was a piece of garbage and went to pick it up. I was surprised to find it was squishy, and quickly realized that it was some sort of creature!
Habitat: Rocky intertidal habitat (brown and red algal zones)
''Botrylloides violaceus'' is a colonial ascidian. It can be known by the common name 'Orange Sheath Tunicate' among others.
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