BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Pentapora fascialis
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Angus Jackson	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Dr Peter J. Hayward
General Biology
Growth form	Foliose Globose	Feeding method	Active suspension feeder
Mobility/Movement	Permanent attachment	Environmental position	Epibenthic Epilithic
Typical food types	No text entered	Habit	Attached
Bioturbator	Not relevant	Flexibility	None (< 10 degrees)
Fragility	Fragile	Size	Medium-large(21-50cm)
Height	Up to 10 cm	Growth Rate	2 cm/year
Adult dispersal potential	None	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Colonial
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
General Biology Additional Information	Densities in the Bristol Channel have been recorded as up to one large colony per square metre. Populations in the Mediterranean have been recorded at densities of up to 7 colonies per square metre. Pentapora fascialis grows initially as an encrusting sheet, which seems able to regenerate erect growths (P.J. Hayward pers. comm.). Size ranges refer to colony diameter. Colony size is typically up to 20 cm in diameter and large specimens reach 40 cm across. The largest recorded specimen was from the Eddystone Light and had a circumference of over 2 metres and a depth of 30 cm (Hayward & Ryland, 1979). Specimens of Pentapora fascialis in the Mediterranean reach larger sizes (80cm diameter, 50 cm in height) in deeper waters (40-80 m). Colony shape has been described as 'depressed globular' or 'dome-like' with an elliptical perimeter (Cocito et al., 1998(a)). Growth rates in the Bristol Channel have been estimated at around 2 cm (vertical height) per year through the use of stable oxygen isotope values (Patzold et al., 1987.). Another growth rate estimate (from the Mediterranean) indicates growth of over 200% colony surface area in 11 months (Cocito et al., 1998). Vertical growth has been recorded at up to 3.5 cm per year (Cocito & Ferdeghini, 1998 cited in Cocito et al., 1998). The calcified laminae are rather brittle. Pentapora fascialis characteristically supports several bryozoans including Amphiblestrum flemingii, Callopora dumerilii, Membranipora nitida & Smittoidea reticulata (Hayward& Ryland, 1979). Large colonies may shelter 1000's of other animals (Hayward & Ryland, 1979).
Biology References	Hayward et al., 1996, Patzold et al., 1987, Cocito et al., 1998(a), Sala et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1979, Cocito et al., 1998(b),