Phylum Bryozoa

Moss Animals or Bryozoans

Bryozoans are minute colonial animals that feed by filtering plankton from seawater.  They have a fleshy or rigid calcified structure in which the individual zooids inhabit.  Many bryozoans are members of the fouling community in bays and harbors and have been dispersed throughout the world on the bottom of ships.  Hawaii has many introduced and native species.  Preyed upon by sea slugs and grazing fishes.

 

HAWAII

Disporella violacea

Sharks Cove, Oahu, 20 feet

 

Firehouse, Oahu, 20 feet

Sharks Cove, Oahu, 30 feet

VIOLET BRYOZOAN

Common on cavern ceilings at scuba depths.  About 1 inch.

Reteporellina denticulata

Sharkfin, Lana'i, 75 feet

 

Blowhole, Oahu, 25 feet

Haleiwa Trench, Oahu, 50 feet

 

Haleiwa Trench, Oahu, 25 feet

Sea Cave, Oahu, 80 feet

 

Sea Cave, Oahu, 80 feet

Sea Tiger Wreck, Oahu, 90 feet

LACY BRYOZOAN

Common on vertical walls exposed to current at scuba depths.

Bugula stolonifera

YO-257 Wreck, Oahu, 80 feet

BRYOZOAN

Uncommon on shaded surfaces exposed to current.

Amathia distans

Firehouse, Oahu, 25 feet

 

Firehouse, Oahu, 25 feet

Blowhole, Oahu, 20 feet

 

Haleiwa Trench, Oahu, 60 feet

WHITE BUSHY BRYOZOAN

Introduced to Hawaii from the Tropical Atlantic.  Found under piers and ledges.  May be several inches tall and resembles bleached seaweed.

Various species

Haleiwa Trench, Oahu, 60 feet

 

Haleiwa Trench, Oahu, 60 feet

Firehouse, Oahu, 40 feet

 

Firehouse, Oahu, 40 feet

Portlock, Oahu, 5 feet

 

Portlock, Oahu, 5 feet

Firehouse, Oahu, 40 feet

Puako, Hawaii, 20 feet

Bryozoans are present on most surfaces, especially in harbors and bays.


NORTHEAST PACIFIC

 

Heteropora pacifica

Ogden Point, Victoria, Canada, 50 feet

 

Schizoporella bicornis

Ogden Point, Victoria, Canada, 50 feet

 

 

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