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Figularia figularis is an encrusting bryozoan, widely distributed in the Mediterranean. The colonies form broad, spreading sheets which are dull white to light brown. The autozooids are large and may be easily viewed by the naked eye. They are elongated ovals to rectangular and either flat or slightly convex, typically 0.7 – 1.00 by 0.3 – 0.5 mm, with no spines.
The species is able to colonise hard substrates and is particularly found on shells. It ranges from shallow subtidal waters to at least 150 metres.
Figularia figularis is widespread in the Mediterranean where it reaches its greatest abundance between 30 and 90 m. The species extends north to the southwest of the British Isles and is common in the western English Channel, reaching its northern limit in the Irish Sea. The species is apparently absent from east coasts, and the North Sea in general.