Morphology:
Schizomavella cristata is an encrusting bryozoan that forms tiny inconspicuous patches, composed of a single layer of autozooids. Colonies have a bright, glossy appearance. Autozooids are oval to hexagonal and convex. They are 0.34-0.4 by approx. 0.2 mm.
Distribution:
Very few specimens of S. cristata have been collected and therefore its true geographic distribution is unknown. The species was originally described from a specimen collected off Hastings, and was subsequently recorded from the western end of the English Channel and the Faroe Isles. It currently unknown whether the species is genuinely rare, or simply that its preferred habitat has not been adequately sampled.
Habitat:
The species is typically found on shell substrata, in subtidal waters.
Taxonomic name: