Description: This red encrusting bryozoan forms extensive patches on bedrock and boulders. It has a slightly bumpy or rough surface but consists of a single layer of zooids.

Habitat: Found in sand-scoured circalittoral habitats on bedrock and boulders.

Distribution: This appears to be a southern species in the British Isles, only being known from the south-eastern corner of Ireland and the Channel Isles. As it is a recently described species it may be more widespread.

Similar Species: This is the only bryozoan within the area known to form such extensive bright red patches in the sublittoral zone.

Key Identification Features:

• Extensive red patches typically 50mm or more in size.
• Slightly bumpy surface with zooids visible at the edges.

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

iNaturalist: Schizomavella sarniensis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Schizomavella sarniensis at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Schizomavella (Schizomavella) sarniensis Hayward & Thorpe, 1995. AphiaID: 862804.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Bryozoa; Gymnolaemata; Cheilostomatida; Flustrina; Smittinoidea; Bitectiporidae; Schizomavella