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Pyura praeputialis
Photo credit Rodger Grace
Pyura praeputialis forms dense populations or mats and has been found growing on rocks in a number of locations in the far north of New Zealand. Its impact in the New Zealand environment is not yet known. There is, however, concern that should it spread, it could displace important native New Zealand species, including green-lipped mussels. There are also concerns Pyura could be inadvertently spread to marine farms outside the Far North region.