Bryozoan 5
©Anne Hoggett: A colony of Bryozoan 5 about 20 cm diameter showing the characteristic rough and regularly-bumpy surface; on reef slope between Bird and South Islands, Lizard Island Group.
©Anne Hoggett: A colony of Bryozoan 5 about 20 cm diameter showing the characteristic rough and regularly-bumpy surface; on reef slope between Bird and South Islands, Lizard Island Group.
©Anne Hoggett: Close-up of Bryozoan 5 showing calcified, tube-shaped zooids with some spiky extensions; on reef slope between Bird and South Islands, Lizard Island Group.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Bryozoa
Species
Bryozoan 5
Colours
Distinguishing features
Encrusting colonies up to 25 cm diameter (maybe more) with characteristic pattern of evenly spaced low bumps on surface. Zooids tube shaped with occasional spiky extensions that give the colony a rough appearance. Colony appears pale brown from a distance.
This species became conspicuous in the Lizard Island area following the 2016 bleaching event, probably because there was so much less live coral to distract the eye.
It may be a species of Disporella based on Porter's (2012) description of colony and zooid shape. Specimens of that genus have been reported from Lizard Island by Phil Bock (ALA accessed 2 Nov 2019).
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Synonyms
Distribution
Web resources
References
References that assist with identification
- Porter, J. (2012). Seasearch Guide to Bryozoans and Hydroids of Britain and Ireland. Marine Conservation Society, Ross-on-Wye, UK.