Smith, Achilleos, Gordon: Distribution patterns of shelf bryozoans around southern Aotearoa New Zealand

The area of southern Aotearoa New Zealand, from Fiordland, Foveaux Strait and Otago southwards to Snares Platform is a well-known bryozoan hotspot, with fewer species known from the shelves around Auckland and Campbell Islands further south. Over 350 bryozoan species have been reported from this region, principally from monographs in the 1980s, augmented by a shelf dredging programme conducted by the University of Otago. We have, to date, 158 University of Otago and 71 NIWA stations in the region from 44°S to 53°S latitude, 165°E to 172°E longitude, in water depths ranging from 6 to 1003 m. A list of 359 bryozoan species was collated from 229 stations, based on published and unpublished distribution data. The 43 commonest species (15 occurrences) were mapped using ArcGIS® Pro and grouped into four common distribution patterns. Accurate distribution information allows for active conservation of these small but important sessile invertebrates, via habitat protection and management of bottom disturbance.