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

Seven species of encrusting bryozoans were recorded on test coupons im mersed at 2 sites in Karwar waters. Amongst these Hippoporina american a (Verrill) and Alderina arabianensis (Menon & Nair) were most commonl y prevailing species. Of the 7 species, 6 species namely H. americana, Conopeum reticulum (Linnaeus), Electra bengalensis (Stoliczka), Membr anipora tenuis (Desor), Membranipora annae (Osburn) and Hippopodina fe egeensis (Busk) were recorded for the first time in Karwar waters. Int erestingly the settlement of E. bengalensis, a dominant west coast spe cies, was moderate in Karwar waters.