Sea Mat Bryozoan (Electra pilosa)
Please Note This Is a Live Marine Science Specimen
The Sea Mat Bryozoan (Electra pilosa) is a delicate colonial organism commonly found encrusting the fronds and stipes of kelp throughout the Gulf of Maine. Each colony is composed of hundreds of microscopic zooids that work together to filter feed on plankton and organic particles suspended in the water. When viewed under magnification, the colony’s intricate lace-like structure reveals the fascinating complexity of this often-overlooked marine invertebrate group.
Sea Mats are excellent for classroom microscopy, marine ecology lessons, and invertebrate zoology labs. They also provide insight into sessile filter-feeding behavior and symbiotic relationships within kelp forest ecosystems.
Common name: Sea Mat Bryozoan
Scientific name: Electra pilosa
Locations: Found on kelp fronds and stipes
Seasonality: Available year-round
Colors: White
Size: 3” – 12”
Collected: By hand
Quantity: Sold by each colony on kelp plant
Uses: Ideal for microscopic study, marine biology education, and live observation of colonial invertebrates.
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in colony size, color, and structure from photos should be expected. If you would like a preserved specimen instead, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.
Sea Mat Bryozoan (Electra pilosa)
Please Note This Is a Live Marine Science Specimen
The Sea Mat Bryozoan (Electra pilosa) is a delicate colonial organism commonly found encrusting the fronds and stipes of kelp throughout the Gulf of Maine. Each colony is composed of hundreds of microscopic zooids that work together to filter feed on plankton and organic particles suspended in the water. When viewed under magnification, the colony’s intricate lace-like structure reveals the fascinating complexity of this often-overlooked marine invertebrate group.
Sea Mats are excellent for classroom microscopy, marine ecology lessons, and invertebrate zoology labs. They also provide insight into sessile filter-feeding behavior and symbiotic relationships within kelp forest ecosystems.
Common name: Sea Mat Bryozoan
Scientific name: Electra pilosa
Locations: Found on kelp fronds and stipes
Seasonality: Available year-round
Colors: White
Size: 3” – 12”
Collected: By hand
Quantity: Sold by each colony on kelp plant
Uses: Ideal for microscopic study, marine biology education, and live observation of colonial invertebrates.
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in colony size, color, and structure from photos should be expected. If you would like a preserved specimen instead, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.
Sea mat growing on a kelp stipe.
Tidepool Tim says, “As a group, these bryozoans are called lacy crusts, and there are several in our area. Besides their macro look, the only way to determine species is by looking at the key features of the zooids under a microscope or hand lens. Electra has this distinctive snowflake pattern on the outside edges of the colonies.”
