About Pyura pachydermatina (Herdman, 1881)
Pyura pachydermatina has a club-shaped main body supported by a long stalk; both the body and stalk are covered by a tough outer tunic. Its color ranges from off-white to a bright reddish-purple. The stalk makes up two thirds to three quarters of the animal's total length, a trait that distinguishes this species from certain non-native invasive tunicates in New Zealand, namely Styela clava and Pyura stolonifera. This is one of the largest tunicate species, and can grow to over one metre in total length. Pyura pachydermatina lives attached to rocks in shallow, wave-swept marine areas surrounding New Zealand. It is a filter feeder, and is typically found in subtidal zones. It prefers cooler water temperatures than Pyura stolonifera does.
