Temachia microstoma

Morphology: 

Temachia microstoma is an encrusting bryozoan. Colonies are composed of a single layer of autozooids and form patches which often have an irregular outline. Autozooids are oval, hexagonal or irregular in outline and strongly convex. They range in size from 0.6-0.9 by 0.5-0.7 mm and have no spines.

Distribution: 

Temachia microstoma has been recorded from Shetland and the northern Bay of Biscay, but very little is known about its distribution since the species has often been confused with a superficially similar species of Escharella.

Habitat: 

The species is able to colonise hard substrates from offshore waters.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith