Description: Colonies of this distinctive bryozoan grown in a disc shape with a thin external margin that forms a lip. It is white to cream in colour and is typically 4-7 mm in diameter. Can be found as individual colonies or can grow in groups.

Habitat: Grows on a range of hard substrata and is found from low water to 100 m or more.

Distribution: All coasts of Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with other species, could potentially be confused with small colonies of Disporella hispida, although it has a more spiked appearance.

Key Identification Features:

• White or cream disc-shaped bryozoan.
• Thin external margin that forms a lip.

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

iNaturalist: Plagioecia patina at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Plagioecia patina

WoRMS: Plagioecia patina at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Plagioecia patina (Lamarck, 1816). AphiaID: 111719.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Bryozoa; Stenolaemata; Cyclostomatida; Tubuliporina; Plagioeciidae; Plagioecia