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How long does the tunicate larval stage last?
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tunicate
Blue spot sea squirt (Clavelina moluccensis), a colonial tunicate.
The larval stage of a tunicate is brief, typically lasting up to a few days. During this period, the non-feeding larva focuses entirely on locating a suitable habitat for its adult life.1
Once the larva finds an appropriate surface, it attaches itself using adhesive papillae. Following this attachment, the animal undergoes metamorphosis, during which its larval features—such as the notochord, nerve cord, and tail—are resorbed, often within a single day.12