Membraniporopsis tubigera is recorded widely from Puerto Rico, and has recently been collected from Brazil and New Zealand. The mechanism of dispersal is unknown. The SEM images are generously provided by D.P. Gordon from NIWA.
Original description: Conopeum tubigerum Osburn, 1940
Locality: Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico
Type specimen: NMNH
Reference: Gordon, Dennis P., Ramalho, Laís V. & Taylor, Paul D., 2006.
An unreported invasive bryozoan that can affect livelihoods - Membraniporopsis tubigera in New Zealand and Brazil.
Bulletin of Marine Science 78 (2): 331-442.
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/umrsmas/bullmar/2006/00000078/00000002/art00008