Neptune's lace bryozoan (Reteporella grimaldii)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Reteporella grimaldii
- Common name
- Neptune's lace bryozoan
- Category
- Other species
- Family
- Phidoloporidae
- Genus
- Reteporella
- Size
- 5–20 cm
- Depth
- 10–100 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, colonial
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Reteporella grimaldii reaches 20 cm. Colonial bryozoan (Phidoloporidae) Mediterranean and East Atlantic with erect colonial body cream-white to pale pink to orange in perforated lacy sheets (characteristic openwork network), very fragile structure. Lives from 10 to 100 m on rocky reefs and coralligenous, shaded walls and overhangs. Plankton filter feeder. Often present with gorgonians, sponges and sciaphilic cnidarians. Elegant and delicate macro dive photo subject, classic of Mediterranean coralligenous.
Photo of Neptune's lace bryozoan
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Neptune's lace bryozoan?
- Neptune's lace bryozoan (Reteporella grimaldii) reaches 5–20 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Neptune's lace bryozoan?
- Neptune's lace bryozoan is found between 10–100 m deep.
- Is the Neptune's lace bryozoan dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Neptune's lace bryozoan?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Neptune's lace bryozoan?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Similar species
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 111453)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4984653)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia