Bryozoans

Bryozoans, much like the other sessile macroinvertebrates on this site, clear particles out of the water to feed, also known as filter feeding. The very nature of bryozoans is one of shared associations or clonal living where individual zooids make up the colony and all serve specific purposes from feeding to reproduction. This associative behavior extends beyond the interactions of the zooids alone and can be seen when the bryozoan lives with or on other organisms including sponges, corals, and algae.

Schizoporella violacea (tubular horn)

This is the most prominent bryozoan species living on hardbottom reefs in the bay. These branching orange/red specimens form a rigid and very fragile structure. Although not known for sure, it has been suggested that they are found most frequently in the late spring and summer.

Steginoporella magnilabris (pearly red encrusting)

Much like Schizoporella violacea, this species of bryozoan has a rigid and fragile structure. However, its body is made of tan, leaf-like plates which are bordered by an orange/red color.