Description: These phoronids bore into soft rock (e.g. limestone or chalk) and live in a membranaceous tube. They have a distinctive horseshoe arrangement of 50-150 fine, white tentacles. The animal is a translucent white, grey or greenish and can be up to 10 cm, although are usually around 4 cm. They are often found in groups of many individuals close together.

Habitat: Soft rock such as chalk or limestone, from extreme low water to almost 50 m.

Distribution: Found on all coasts around Britain and Ireland, but rarely recorded in some areas.

Similar Species: There are other species of phoronids in Britain and Ireland but this is the only one that bores into soft rock. Others prefer shell or muddy sand.

Key Identification Features:

• Distinctive horseshoe arrangement of fine white tentacles.
• Bore into soft rock.
• May be found in large groups.

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

iNaturalist: Phoronis hippocrepia at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Phoronis hippocrepia

WoRMS: Phoronis hippocrepia at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Phoronis hippocrepia Wright, 1856. AphiaID: 128548.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Phoronida; Phoronidae; Phoronis