Encrusting bryozoan (Parasmittina trispinosa)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

This encrusting bryozoan forms extensive patches, 20 cm or more across. It is normally a dull orange-brown to yellowish-white in colour. Bumps are evenly distributed on the crust towards the centre of the colony. Colonies can occur in either simple or multiple layers. Individual zooids are 0.4-1.0 mm by 0.26-0.38 mm.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Recorded around all British Coasts.

Global distribution

Recorded from Britain, north to western Norway, the Faroe Isles and into the Barents Sea in the Arctic Circle.

Habitat

This encrusting bryozoan is typically a sublittoral species found on large boulders or bedrock, often with vertical faces. It is able to colonize hard substratum including shells. It is found from shallow to subtidal waters out to the continental shelf. It is abundant on offshore shell banks and can tolerate environments with strong water movement.

Depth range

0-180 m

Identifying features

  • Patches of 20 cm or more across.
  • Dull orange to brown to yellow to white in colour.
  • Zooid; 0.4-1.0 mm by 0.26-0.38 mm.
  • Bumps on crust evenly distributed towards the centre.

Additional information

-none-

Listed by

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Further information sources

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Bibliography

  1. Hayward, P.J. & Ryland, J.S. 1979. British ascophoran bryozoans. London: Academic Press.

  2. Hayward, P.J. & Ryland, J.S. 1999. Cheilostomatous Bryozoa. Part II Hippothooidea - Celleporoidea. London: Academic Press. [Synopses of the British Fauna, no. 14. (2nd edition)]

Datasets

  1. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  2. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2025. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2025-05-22

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Gibson-Hall, E., 2018. Parasmittina trispinosa Encrusting bryozoan. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 22-05-2025]. Available from: https://marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/2322

Last Updated: 22/08/2018