Bryozoa

Class GYMNOLAEMATA

Membranipora tenuis - Sea Mat

Morphology: Zooids elongate, rectangular, or quadrangular and tip marked by 2 blunt tentacles. Forms thin, white crust in a lacy pattern due to each zooid occupying its own calcareous boxlike zooecium.

Distribution: Massachusetts to Brazil. Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico

Habitat: Encrust shells, rocks, seaweeds, or arthropod carapaces

Life History: Colonial filter feeder that extends feeding tentacles from its membranous zooecium to capture particles in water column.

Reference: Seashore Animals of the Southeast

Schizoporella unicornis - Single-horn Bryozoan

Morphology: Encrusting bryozoan. Colonies white to orange in color, round, and can be up to 100 mm in diameter. Individual zooids squarish with rounded aperture.Distribution: Native range is Japan, however now a worldwide species due to introduction.Habitat: Grows on hard substrates.Life History: Suspension-feeders. Hermaphroditic. Free-living larvae are released by zooids and disperse to begin new colonies. Colonies grow in size through asexual reproduction.Reference: nwmarinelife.com; Ruppertt and Fox p85

Anguinella palmata

Morphology: Arborescent bryozoan. Colonies form limp, brown tangles. Zooids occur at tips of branches. Distribution: Massachusetts to Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and Brazil. Habitat: On rocks of breakwaters. Found on Folly Beach groin. Life History: Sessile suspension feeder. Each zooid has ten ciliated tentacles. Considered eurythermal. Reference: Smithsonian Marine Station at Ft. PierceSource: Encyclopedia of Life

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