BUGULIDAE, Gray, 1848

Mead, A., Carlton, J. T., Griffiths, C. L. & Rius, M., 2011, Introduced and cryptogenic marine and estuarine species of South Africa, Journal of Natural History 45 (39 - 40), pp. 2463-2524 : 2500-2501

Family BUGULIDAE

Bugula neritina (Linnaeus, 1758) Introduced

This common bryozoan with anticarcinogenic biochemical properties is often found attached to the hulls of ships. It has a global distribution, although it is not present in the cold polar or sub-Arctic / Antarctic regions ( Gordon and Mawatari 1992). As a result, its origin is as yet unknown; however, it is assumed to be introduced via shipping (fouling and ballast water) to most areas ( Ryland and Hayward 1977). It was first collected and reported by O’Donoghue and de Waterville in 1944, but was probably a very early introduction in South Africa. Florence et al. (2007) describe its distribution in South Africa as “prevalent in all areas with a harbor.” It ranges from Port Nolloth (west coast) to Durban (east coast).

Bugula flabellata (Thompson in Gray, 1848) Introduced

Gordon and Mawatari (1992) report this bryozoan as globally distributed in both warm and cold temperate waters of both hemispheres. It is, therefore, not surprising to find its distribution in South Africa spanning the cold and warm temperate provinces, from Port Nolloth (west coast) to the southeast coast as far as Plettenberg Bay ( Florence et al. 2007). Although its origin is unknown, this is a well-known fouling organism found on the hulls of ships. It was first collected and reported in South Africa by Hincks (1880), although its actual date of introduction is likely to have been much earlier.

Bugula dentata (Lamouroux, 1816) Introduced

With its origin in the Indo-Pacific and a pan-warm temperate-tropical distribution, Bugula dentata has been reported from Australia-New Guinea, the Celebes Sea, New Zealand, Japan, Madeira, Brazil and South Africa ( Florence et al. 2007). Although there are some morphological differences in the avicularia between specimens described from these regions, the populations appear to be conspecific ( Harmer 1926; Ryland 1974; Mackie et al. 2001; Florence et al. 2007). It was first collected and reported from South Africa by Busk (1852). It ranges from Cape Point to Durban. As with Bugula neritina , it is likely to have been a very early introduction in ship fouling.