(Selva - The Trondheim fjord / 4 meters / 9.28.2009)

Phylum: Bryozoa

Class: Gymnolaemata

Order: Cheilostomatida

Suborder: Malacostegina

Family: Membraniporidae

Scientific name: Membranipora membranacea

 

Norwegian: membranmosdyr

Distribution: The lacy crust bryozoan is very common along the entire Norwegian coast, living on algae.

Characteristics: The colonies form flexible white or grey net of rectangular boxes, one for each zooid (animal). The most common predators are the sea slugs.

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