Description: This bryozoan forms a fan-shaped, branched colony in a single plane 2–3 cm in height. The branches are relatively wide and branch dichotomously. It is usually buff to yellowish-brown in colour.

Habitat: Steep rockfaces in strong currents in offshore areas with well mixed water.

Distribution: A northern and deep water species in the UK and Ireland, preferring well mixed cold water and current swept areas. Common on the cliffs on the north side of Rathlin Island. Its range extends as far north as the Arctic.

Similar Species: Caberea boryi also forms fan-shaped tufts however this species is smaller, usually not more than 1 cm tall and is chestnut brown in colour.

Key Identification Features:

• Small fan-shaped bryozoan
• Branches dichotomously
• Buff to yellowish-brown in colour

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

iNaturalist: Caberea ellisii at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Caberea ellisii

WoRMS: Caberea ellisii at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Caberea ellisii (Fleming, 1814). AphiaID: 111230.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Bryozoa; Gymnolaemata; Cheilostomatida; Flustrina; Buguloidea; Candidae; Caberea