Membraniporella nitida (Johnston, 1838)

General description: 

Membraniporella nitida is an encrusting bryozoan that forms irregular sheets spreading over the substrate. In the south-west of the British Isles, the species is predominantly found in subtidal waters, where it is able to colonise a range of hard substrates, as well as kelp holdfasts and the large subtidal bryozoan, Pentapora foliacea.  Membraniporella nitida has been recorded from the intertidal zone in Yorkshire and Northumberland.

The species is widespread around the British Isles. It has been recorded as far north as the Barents Sea, extending south to the Mediterranean.
