Species description: An orange encrusting bryozoan that forms bright orange colonies several cm across. Colonies are made up of individual zooids arranged in a sheet and although rigid are very easily broken. Colonies can often form into erect ripples or rounded lobes giving them a more three-dimensional form than most other encrusting bryozoans. Individual zooids are rectangular or polygonal with an oval orifice and avicularia (frontal and oral).

Habitat: Hard substrata in shallow water. Usually in marinas or at aquaculture sites.

Distribution: First recorded in Northern Ireland in 2021 on a fender in Ballycastle marine, now known to be present in other marinas in NI. Scattered records from around Britain and Ireland, originating in marinas and aquaculture sites and spreading between them and potentially into surrounding areas.

Similar Species: Could be confused with other encrusting bryozoans, especially Cryptosula pallasiana, other Schizoporella spp. and another non-native, Watersipora subatra. The intense orange colouration and rigid, three-dimensional growth should help distinguish with experience, but careful inspection of features may be required.

Key Identification Features:

• Bright orange colour.
• Colony forms a rigid but fragile sheet.
• Colonies can form erect ripples or rounded lobes, giving a three-dimensional appearance.
• Zooids are rectangular or polygonal.

iNaturalist: Schizoporella japonica at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Schizoporella japonica at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Schizoporella japonica Ortmann, 1890. AphiaID: 470388.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Bryozoa; Gymnolaemata; Cheilostomatida; Flustrina; Schizoporelloidea; Schizoporellidae; Schizoporella