ENCRUSTING BRYOZOANS IN KARWAR WATERS, CENTRAL WEST-COAST OF INDIA

Seven species of encrusting bryozoans were recorded on test coupons immersed at 2 sites in Karwar waters. Amongst these Hippoporina americana (Verrill) and Alderina arabianensis (Menon & Nair) were most commonly prevailing species. Of the 7 species, 6 species namely H. americana, Conopeum reticulum (Linnaeus), Electra bengalensis (Stoliczka), Membranipora tenuis (Desor), Membranipora annae (Osburn) and Hippopodina feegeensis (Busk) were recorded for the first time in Karwar waters. Interestingly the settlement of E. bengalensis, a dominant west coast species, was moderate in Karwar waters.