Bryozoa

Bryozoa or which their other name Polyzoa ( meaning many animals ) describes these tiny colonial organisms more appropriately. They occur as growths on seaweeds, rocks and wherever else they can get a foothold, even boat hulls.

Bryozoa, feed by using their tentacles to draw in minute particles to their mouth. As they do not require light, it allows them to colonise habitats, away from competition with algae.

     Sea Mat Membranipora membranipora

 Celleporella Hyalina

Sea Mat Membranipora membranipora

The sea mat is the most likely bryozoan to be found on Cornwall’s beaches. It is more probably to be seen on seaweed dragged up by the sea and cast ashore rather than in its habitat.

These calcified mats encrust seaweed, hence they have to be flexible, to go with the movement of the fronds. To do this the sea mat has flexible joints.

Each sea mat is not an individual but hundreds or thousands of animals.