Smittoidea prolifica Osburn, 1952 (Bryozoa, Cheilostomatida), a Pacific bryozoan introduced to The Netherlands (Northeast Atlantic)

• Main Authors: De Blauwe, H., Faasse, M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2004
• Subjects: Introduced species; Bryozoa; Smittoidea prolifica (Osburn; 1952); AE; North Atlantic; ANE; Netherlands; Pacific; Northeast Atlantic
• Online Access: http://www.vliz.be/nl/open-marien-archief?module=ref&refid=72810

The Pacific bryozoan Smittoidea prolifica Osburn, 1952 has been introduced to the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. Its currently known distribution in the Atlantic is restricted to The Netherlands. All recent records of autochthonous Smittoidea reticulate (MacGillivray, 1842) in The Netherlands probably refer to S. prolifica . The most likely route of introduction is via shellfish importations. Morphological differences with congeneric species are discussed to facilitate identification in case of spread in or new introductions to the Northeast Atlantic