Notoplites jeffreysii (Norman, 1868)

General description: 

Notoplites jeffreysii is an erect bryozoan, forming delicate tufts up to 3 cm in height. The colony is composed of transparent, glassy branches, dividing dichotomously. Autozooids are approximately 0.5 mm in length and narrowest at base, closest to the colony origin. Two to three spines are present on the distal edge of the colony, furthest from the colony origin.

The species is able to colonise stones and shells. It is found in deep water, typically 75 – 100 metres.Notoplites jeffreysii is distributed off the Atlantic coasts of Ireland, Scotland and Norway.

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