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Bryozoans are aquatic organisms mainly occur in marine environments. Some bryozoans
considered as nuisance species since they foul on ship hulls, pilings, pier, docks and water
intake pipes. Conversely, there are certain bryozoans that produce chemical compounds which
have beneficial medical properties. Furthermore, present study revealed many bryozoan
species which have a significant impact on the ecology of the biofouling community settled in
artificial collectors in Colombo port. However, there are number of species which remains
mysterious to Sri Lanka and present study aims to put such species under scrutiny. Biofouling
samples were collected from six sampling locations within Colombo port using artificial
settlement collectors. These collectors were deployed in four different depths where the first
set was 1 m below the water surface and others setting at 1 m intervals. Monthly samples were
collected from October 2014 to August 2017. Specimens were identified morphologically
using fine morphological features and samples were quantitatively assessed by determining
their covering percentage and species abundance. Present study recorded eight encrusting
bryozoans from Colombo port including Hippopodina iririkiensis. H. iririkiensis belongs to
class Gymnolaemata, order Cheilostomatida, suborder Flustrina and family Hippopodinidae.
This species was recorded from Unity Container Terminal (UCT) at 4m depth with a covering
percentage of 5.75. The colony is encrusting, multiserial, unilamellar and often large in size.
Autozooids are generally rectangular and separated by distinct grooves. The frontal wall is
convex and evenly perforated with small pores. The primary orifice is hoof shaped and
rounded distally; wider than the proximal margin which is slightly concave. Two prominent
lateral condyles were present and an operculum which closes the orifice. Adventitious
avicularia are often paired; occasionally, single or absent, placed distolaterally to the orifice.
Ovicell is large and evenly perforated. H. iririkiensis is widely distributed throughout the
Indo-West Pacific region. However, their status within the country is not yet confirmed.
