Taxonomy

Animalia

Bryozoa

Gymnolaemata Cheilostomatida

M. M. Membranipora membranacea

Kelp Lace Bryozoan

Membrane-like Membrane-bearing Membrane-pore Thin-pore-bearing


Membraniporidae is a bryozoan family in the order Cheilostomatida. Membranipora form encrusting or erect colonies; they are unilaminar or bilaminar and weakly to well-calcified. Zooids have vertical and basal calcified walls, but virtually no frontal calcified wall: most of the frontal surface is occupied by frontal membrane. An intertentacular organ is also present. The larvae are not brooded. The ancestrula is generally twinned. Kenozooids may be present in a few species; modified zooids analogous to avicularia are rare.

Membraniporidae. Retrieved November, 05 2021, from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Membraniporidae.


Membranipora membranacea is a very widely distributed species of marine bryozoan known from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, usually in temperate zone environments. This bryozoan is a colonial organism characterized by a thin, mat-like encrustation, white to gray in color. It may be known colloquially as the sea-mat or lacy crust bryozoan and is often abundantly found encrusting seaweeds, particularly kelps.

Membranipora membranacea. Retrieved November, 05 2021, from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Membranipora_membranacea.