Polycarpa cf. pigmentata

Scientific name : Polycarpa cf. pigmentata

Large ascidian, with a thick, rough tunic, always covered with epibiotic organisms . Inner part of the siphons appears white spotted. The specimens photographed in maando, having the inner part of the siphons almost completely white, could even be a different species.
Similar to other ascidians that live covered with fouling (for example Herdmania momus). The inner siphon colour is a very good diagnostic. These ascidians species, even if large, are cryptic because covered with encrusting species. They can go unobserved unless they close their siphons.

Associated organisms
Associations with many epibiotic species (ascidians, sponges, bryozoans), encrusting almost completely the tunic and hiding the ascidian. In the picture, association with an octocoral.