Any of some 2,000 species (chordate subphylum Tunicata, or Urochordata) of small marine invertebrates that are abundant worldwide. Tunicates are either sessile (permanently attached), free-swimming, or planktonic (floating). The name tunicate derives from a secreted protective covering (the tunic) containing cellulose. Floating species often form colonies that may be 13 ft (4 m) long. Some free-swimming species are too small to see. Adults filter feed on microorganisms. Sessile forms growing on ships' hulls may be a nuisance, but some species are pharmaceutically useful. Seealso sea squirt.

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