Smittina landsborovii (Johnston, 1847)

Growth: 

Growth may be encrusting on bedrock surfaces, with colonies sometimes growing away from the substrate into foliaceous lobes.

Look alikes: 

This species could get confused with young colonies of Pentapora or Schizoporellid species.

Morphology: 

Colonies are encrusting. They grow as broad patches and may also rise up from the substrate and develop into convoluted foliose lobes. The colonies may be unilaminar or bilaminar (two sheets in contact at the basal region). The colonies are a deep orange-red colour. Colonies may get confused with young Pentapora or foliose growths of Schizoporellid species because of this erect growth habit. The autozooids are hexagonal or quadrate, they are separated by distinct sutures and measure 0.5-0.7x0.3-0.4mm. Large spatulate adventitious avicularia are present in this species. The primary orifice is semi-orbicular, and has a short quadrate or anvil shaped lyrula proximally. Paired lateral condyles are also a key feature. When ovicells are present they are prominent, broader than long and the frontal surface is perforated by numerous  small round or irregular pores.

Size: 

Colonies can grow into large patches of 10cm or so across, lobes can grow up to 5 cm high.

Distribution: 

This species has been recorded from all the western coasts of the British Isles, the English Channel and the on the east coast from Northumberland. Recent records have included the Farne Islands. It is thought to reach its northern limit off western Norway. Records from outside the north-east Atlantic should be viewed with caution.

Ecology: 

This species is often found growing amongst Dead men’s fingers (Alcyonium digitatum), possibly an indication of conditions with moderate to strong tidal flow.

Habitat: 

Colonies grow on bedrock or stable boulders, wedged stones or shells near the low water mark downwards into the sublittoral. Its lower bathymetric range is unknown.

Reproduction: 

This species broods a single embryo per ovicell; the embryo is bright red in colour. The presence of embryos has been recorded in January, March and October-November in material collected from around the Isle of Man.

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