Description: Crisularia purpurotincta is an erect, bushy bryozoan growing up to 8 cm in height. The name 'purpurotincta' refers to colour change from greyish-white when alive to a bright purplish-red when dried or placed in ethanol. This species has a general 'fluffy' appearance with conspicuous darker spots.

Habitat: Stable circalittoral stones and boulders in areas exposed to moderate wave action and tidal streams.

Distribution: In Northern ireland this specie scan be found around Rathlin Island and also off Larne. It is a northern species reaching the northern limit of its distribution at Spitzbergen.

Similar Species: Could be confused with other bushy, greyish-white bryozoans however the colour change when dried to purple-red is characteristic for this species.

Key Identification Features:

• Erect, bush bryozoan with a 'fluffy' appearance
• Grows to 8 cm in height
• Colour change from greyish-white when alive to purple-red when dried or in ethanol.

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

iNaturalist: Crisularia purpurotincta at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Crisularia purpurotincta

WoRMS: Crisularia purpurotincta at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Crisularia purpurotincta (Norman, 1868). AphiaID: 834041.

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