Diet

• Colonies: Disporella is a colonial marine bryozoan, not a plant or alga. Each colony consists of numerous microscopic animals called zooids.

• Zooids: Filter-feed by extending a lophophore, a crown of fine, ciliated tentacles that captures plankton, bacteria and other tiny suspended organic particles from the surrounding water.

• The zooids are housed in calcareous tubes, which collectively form the hard colony.

Range

• Disporella is a widespread genus of cyclostome bryozoans in the family Lichenoporidae, with species found in marine environments around much of the world.

• It is occasionally sighted in Zihua, particularly in shallow coastal habitats where hard surfaces are available for attachment.

Habitat

• Usually found in shallow marine environments, attached to rocks, shells, algae and other submerged hard surfaces.

• Colonies may occur in rocky intertidal areas, shallow reefs, tide pools and sheltered coastal habitats.

• Some species favour areas exposed to wave action or strong water movement, which provides a continuous supply of suspended food.

• Around Zihua, examine rocks, shells and other submerged surfaces, particularly in clear shallow water.

Size

• Colony: Usually only a few millimetres across, although colonies can grow larger depending on species and conditions.

• Colonies are typically flat, circular or irregularly encrusting, forming a hard calcareous crust over the underlying surface.

• The surface is covered with numerous tiny circular zooid openings, often arranged in radial or irregular patterns.

• Some species are purple, pink, white, cream or yellowish when alive. A purple colony can be particularly conspicuous against a rock or shell.