Mediterranean fan bryozoan (Pentapora fascialis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Pentapora fascialis
- Common name
- Mediterranean fan bryozoan
- Category
- Other species
- Family
- Bitectiporidae
- Genus
- Pentapora
- Size
- 10–50 cm
- Depth
- 5–80 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, colonial
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Pentapora fascialis reaches 50 cm height. Large colonial bryozoan (Bryozoa, Bitectiporidae) Mediterranean and East Atlantic temperate forming erect fan or branching bouquet colonies orange-pink to salmon-orange, surface covered with microscopic zooecia. Lives from 5 to 80 m on rocky reefs of Mediterranean coralligenous, on vertical hard substrates and overhangs. Plankton filter feeder. Heat-sensitive species, massive mortalities during heatwaves. Iconic Mediterranean coralligenous dive photo subject, iconic landscape with gorgonians and axinella.
Photo of Mediterranean fan bryozoan
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Mediterranean fan bryozoan?
- Mediterranean fan bryozoan (Pentapora fascialis) reaches 10–50 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Mediterranean fan bryozoan?
- Mediterranean fan bryozoan is found between 5–80 m deep.
- Is the Mediterranean fan bryozoan dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Mediterranean fan bryozoan?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Mediterranean fan bryozoan?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Similar species
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 111082)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 1009305)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia