Lacy crust bryozoan Membranipora spp
Membranipora spp. encrusting bryozoan
Close-up of lacy crust bryozoan colony
Marine bryozoan Membranipora species
Lacy crust bryozoan Membranipora spp
Membranipora spp. encrusting bryozoan
Close-up of lacy crust bryozoan colony
Marine bryozoan Membranipora species

Lacy Crust Bryozoan (Membranipora spp.)

from $80.00
Quantity:

Live Lacy Crust Bryozoan (Membranipora spp.)
Please note this is a live marine specimen.

The Lacy Crust Bryozoan (Membranipora spp.) forms delicate, lace-like white colonies that grow on the surfaces of larger seaweeds such as kelps and Irish moss. Each colony is made up of hundreds of tiny zooids that build intricate calcium carbonate structures—an ideal example of marine colonial invertebrate life. Common along the Gulf of Maine coastline, these bryozoans play an important ecological role in the intertidal and subtidal zones, often providing habitat and protection for small marine organisms.

Sustainably hand-collected from Maine’s cold coastal waters, each specimen is shipped attached to its natural host plant for accurate ecological and structural representation. Perfect for classroom demonstrations, microscopy, and marine biology research.

Key Facts:
Common name: Lacy crust bryozoan
Scientific name: Membranipora spp.
Locations: Grows on macroalgae such as kelps and Irish moss
Seasonality: Available year round
Colors: White colonies
Size: 1” – 12”
Collected: By hand
Quantity: Sold by each colony on host plant
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in colony size, coverage, and host plant type from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.

Live Lacy Crust Bryozoan (Membranipora spp.)
Please note this is a live marine specimen.

The Lacy Crust Bryozoan (Membranipora spp.) forms delicate, lace-like white colonies that grow on the surfaces of larger seaweeds such as kelps and Irish moss. Each colony is made up of hundreds of tiny zooids that build intricate calcium carbonate structures—an ideal example of marine colonial invertebrate life. Common along the Gulf of Maine coastline, these bryozoans play an important ecological role in the intertidal and subtidal zones, often providing habitat and protection for small marine organisms.

Sustainably hand-collected from Maine’s cold coastal waters, each specimen is shipped attached to its natural host plant for accurate ecological and structural representation. Perfect for classroom demonstrations, microscopy, and marine biology research.

Key Facts:
Common name: Lacy crust bryozoan
Scientific name: Membranipora spp.
Locations: Grows on macroalgae such as kelps and Irish moss
Seasonality: Available year round
Colors: White colonies
Size: 1” – 12”
Collected: By hand
Quantity: Sold by each colony on host plant
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in colony size, coverage, and host plant type from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.

Lacy crust covering a kelp holdfast.

Lacy crust covering a kelp holdfast.

Tidepool Tim says,  “Lacy crust is one of the prettiest organisms you will see in tidepools, in kelp beds, or even washed up on the shores. This animal grows as a colony with new growth emerging at the lateral edges of the white colony. Since some kelp plants grow for many years, sometimes this bryozoan can be 12" in diameter. I have seen thousands of these over the years and still, they command my attention every time I see a new one.”

You Might Also Like