Membranipora

Membranipora
M. membranacea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Bryozoa
Class: Gymnolaemata
Order: Cheilostomata
Family: Membraniporidae
Genus: Membranipora
de Blainville, 1830

Membranipora is a genus of bryozoan in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species Membranipora membranacea that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps Laminaria digitata, L. hyperborea, and Saccorhiza polyschides.

Colonies of M. membranacea show different forms of polyphenism as spines, tower zooids, chimneys and stolons.

Reproduction

The eggs of M. membranipora develop into planktonic cyphonautes larvae which is strongly triangular in outline and about 850μm x 600μm big.

References


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