Lagenipora lepralioides (Norman, 1868)
General description:
Due to the small size and substrate preferences of this species it is almost invariably damaged by collection and therefore problematic to recognise.
Morphology:
Lagenipora lepralioides is an encrusting bryozoan that forms small, thick white patches which are 2-3 mm in diameter. Colonies are rounded, lobed or star-shaped, with autozooids often arranged in a disorderly series. Autozooids are oval to hexagonal and very small: 0.3-0.4 mm long.
Distribution:
Lagenipora lepralioides is known from the English Channel, the Channel Islands and the western Mediterranean. It geographic distribution is incompletely known.
Habitat:
The species is able to colonise shell fragments and especially small pebbles, in offshore habitats.