STUDIES ON MARINE BRYOZOA, III. WOODS HOLE REGION BRYOZOA ASSOCIATED WITH ALGAE

Abstract

Thirty bryozoan spp. were reported from 37 marine algal spp. (5 from 3 spp. of green algae, 26 from 11 brown algae and 27 from 23 red algae). Phyllophora membranifolia accommodated 23 bryozoan spp., Chondrus crispus 20, Laminaria agardhii 20, Phyllophora brodiaei 15 and Cystoclonium purpureum cirrhosum 11. Each of the 3 commonest bryozoa (Aetea sica, Bowerbankia gracilis and Crisia eburnea) was found on 18 algal spp. Electra pilosa and Hippothoa hyalina (both extremely common) each occurred on 17 and Bugula turrita on 16 spp. Aetea sica, Cellepora dichotoma and Scruparia ambigua are added to the previously recorded 84 spp. of Woods Hole region bryozoa. Tentacle number counts were made for 15 bryozoan spp., the times for larval production were noted for several and 26 bryozoan spp. were illustrated. Some bryozoa were found most frequently and abundantly on certain algal spp., namely Alcyonidium polyoum and Crisia eburnea on Chondrus crispus, Phyllophora brodiaei and P. membranifolia; Bowerbankia gracilis on the same algae and on Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus; Electra pilosa on Laminaria agardhii and Rhodymenia palmata; and Flustrella hispida on Ascophyllum nodosum. Most of the algae were collected in the Woods Hole region.