Overgrowing Mat Tunicate

The Overgrowing Mat Tunicate forms large colonies of tiny tunicates inside its thick, leathery covering. Its surface has many small intake pores and scattered larger openings where water flows out. It is usually gray, and its colonies often look like smooth or rough waxy mats that cover hard surfaces.

This Tunicate can be found on hard bottoms, where it spreads across rocks and living corals. Its colonies can cover large areas and may grow completely over corals. It can cause most stony corals to die. Its growth can increase quickly for a time before its colonies shrink or sometimes disappear, leaving bare hard surface behind. On Bonaire, it has been recorded growing over living corals, especially in some deeper and northern areas.

Reference: Springer Nature Link, Sommer et al. 2010, View Source