Beachcombers Field Guide - Department Of Fisheries Western ...
Beachcombers Field Guide - Department Of Fisheries Western ...
Beachcombers Field Guide - Department Of Fisheries Western ...
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Bryozoan<br />
Bryozoa<br />
<strong>Of</strong>ten mistaken<br />
for corals, sponges or algae,<br />
bryozoans (lace coral and sea mosses)<br />
are a colony of tiny animals called zooids.<br />
Each zooid is protected by a calcareous<br />
(limestone) horny case, which is left<br />
behind when the animals die. Colony<br />
members are independent of each other,<br />
feeding on plankton and other particles<br />
suspended in the water.<br />
However, when<br />
disturbed they<br />
will act as one,<br />
retracting<br />
into their<br />
protective<br />
case.<br />
Photo: David Fairclough<br />
Did you know?<br />
Bryozoans reproduce by external<br />
fertilisation, releasing eggs and<br />
sperm into the water, which form<br />
free-swimming larvae. Larvae then<br />
attach themselves to a solid object<br />
and divide to create a new colony.
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