Taxonomy

Animalia

Bryozoa

Gymnolaemata Cheilostomatida

S. S. Schizoporella unicornis

Orange Encrusting Bryozoan

One-horned Split-little-pore Split-little-pore-idea

Ascophora is an infraorder under order Cheilostomatida of the Bryozoa.

They are now considered a synonym of Flustrina. Ascophorans are distinguished from other cheilostomes in having a completely calcified wall covering their frontal surface apart from the orifice, and possessing an ascus (hence the name of the suborder). The ascus is a water-filled sac of frontal membrane opening at or near the orifice. It functions as a hydrostatic system by allowing water into the space below the inflexible frontal wall when the zooid everts its polypide (feeding tentacles) by muscles pulling the frontal membrane inwards (non-ascophorans do not need this structure as their frontal wall is not calcified).

Schizoporelloidea. Retrieved January, 01 2022, from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascophora.


The Schizoporellidae is a family within the bryozoan order Cheilostomatida. Colonies are encrusting on shells and rocks or upright bilaminar branches or sheets. The zooidal orifice has a narrow V-shaped sinus.

Schizoporellidae. Retrieved January, 01 2022, from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizoporellidae.


Schizoporella unicornis is a species of bryozoans in the family Schizoporellidae. Species have been found intertidally around oyster beds in Georgia. However, the origins of this species are likely from British Columbia.

Schizoporella unicornis. Retrieved January, 01 2022, from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizoporella_unicornis.