BRYOZOA

GENERAL CHACTERISTICS

-Approximately 4,000 species are known

-They are marine, colonial organisms

-The colonies are referred to as zoaria

-Range from polar to subtropical regions (optimum temperature  is 20-28 degrees Celcius)

-Thrive in shallow water depths and normal salinity, also in brackish waters.

CLASSIFICATION

There are three major categories of Bryozoa

  1. Class Gymnolaemata
  2. Class Stenolaemata
  3. Class Phylactolaemata

SPECIMINS

1. This specimin is part of the Class Stenolaemata, the Order Trepostomata, and the Genus Constellaria.  The view is of                     the zoaria.

2. This specimin (Bryozoan 1) is not of high quality ,and therefore I cannot distinguish it any more precisely.  Possibly also part of the Order Trepostomata.

3. This specimin (Bryozoan 2) is not of high quality ,and therefore I cannot distinguish it any more precisely.  Possibly also part of the Order Trepostomata.

                                     

BRYOZOAN ZOARIA           

             

D- Constellaria