PHYLUM: Ectoprocta (Bryozoa)
CLASS: Gymnolaemata
SPECIES: Phidolopora pacifica
COMMON NAME: Lacy Bryozoan
Ectoprocts, more commonly known as bryozoans, or sometimes moss animals, are a group of animals that form colonies much like hydroids and corals. The individuals, called zooids, form small calcium carbonate boxes (zooecia) around themselves. The zooecia as a group form the colony that we see attached to the bottom. The zooids have a specialized feeding structure called a lophophore that includes a horseshoe-shaped ring of tentacles. The zooids use the lophophore to collect tiny particles, including plankton and bacteria, from the water column.
Many species of bryozoan also have specialized zooids for cleaning and colony defense, reproduction, and attachment of the colony to the substrate. Several species are common to this area, and are conspicuous members of the subtidal fauna.
Phidolopora gets its common name from the lacy appearance of the colony. It grows in erect, frilled sheets that are highly perforated, like a piece of lace. The colonies are brittle, and easily broken. The perforations allow water to flow through the colony, increasing food availability for the individual zooids, and reducing stress on the colony from water movement.
Phidolopora can be found all the way from the intertidal zone down to 200m (660ft.), and from Canada to South America. The lighter colored smoothe organism around the colony pictured above is a compound tunicate.