Species description: This is an erect bryozoan that forms a colony of thick tufts, made up from individual zooids, and can be up to 3 cm tall. It branches dichotomously with each branch segment narrower at the base and widening towards the top. The branches have zooids arranged in multiple rows with 5 or 6 across just below the branching point.

Habitat: Found on artificial substrata in marinas and harbours.

Distribution: First recorded in Northern Ireland in 2011 from Bangor marina. Now recorded from Carrickfergus, Bangor, Glenarm, Ardglass and Ballycastle marinas. There are records from SE Ireland, as well as many records in southern Britain. Very few records from north of Britain.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Bugulina fulva but it is only 4 zooids wide below each branching point, while B. simplex is 5-6 wide.

Key Identification Features:

• Erect bryozoan that forms a colony of thick tufts.
• 5 or 6 zooids wide just below each branching point.

Distribution Map from NBN: Bugulina simplex at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Bugulina simplex at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Bugulina simplex at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Bugulina simplex (Hincks, 1886). AphiaID: 834016.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Bryozoa; Gymnolaemata; Cheilostomatida; Flustrina; Buguloidea; Bugulidae; Bugulina