4.18
Species of the Sub-Order Ctenostomata (Bryozoa)
from Indian Waters
N.R.MENON
An extensive study of the taxonomy and ecology of marine and brackish water
bryozoans of Indian waters has revealed that more than 100 species of bryozoans occur
in the continental shelf region of the SW and SE coasts of India (MENON, 1967). Of these
species 12 belong to the sub-order Ctenostomata. The majority of these were collected
from wooden or glass panels used for the study of fouling bryozoans in Cochin waters
orfrom the hulls of ships.
The species recorded are listed here with brief comments on occurrence and distribution. The detailed descriptions with figures, remarks and discussion of the different
species dealt with in this paper will appear in Internationale Revue der gesamten
Hydrobiologie, 1972.
1. Alcyonidium erectum SILEN, 1942
Several colonies were collected from appendages and carapace of Portunus pelagicus.
This species was previously recorded from Japan; this is the first record from the Indian
Ocean.
2. Alcyonidium polyoum HASSALI, 1841
Found epizoic on Penaeus indicus caught off Cochin, South-west coast of India.
A cosmopolitan, this species shows considerable intraspecific differences in the nature
of zoaria and number of tentacles.
3. Victorella pavida KENT, 1870
A common fouling bryozoan encountered in brackish waters of India. Cosmopolitan
in distribution. Physiological races with conspicuous morphological differences are
present in this species.
4. Nolella papuensis BUSK, 1886
Recorded as fouling organism from wooden and glass test panels immersed in Cochin
Harbour, SW coast of India. Indo-Pacific in distribution.
5. Vesicularia papuensis BUSK, 1886
Collected from the hull of a ship. This is the first record of this species from Indian
waters.
6. Amathia distans BU5K, 1886
Ten colonies were collected from the propeller of a boat dredged off Cochin from a
depth of 18 m. A cosmopolitan, this ctenostome displays little intraspecific variation.
Species of the Sub-Order Ctenostomata (Bryozoa)
from Indian Waters
N.R.MENON
An extensive study of the taxonomy and ecology of marine and brackish water
bryozoans of Indian waters has revealed that more than 100 species of bryozoans occur
in the continental shelf region of the SW and SE coasts of India (MENON, 1967). Of these
species 12 belong to the sub-order Ctenostomata. The majority of these were collected
from wooden or glass panels used for the study of fouling bryozoans in Cochin waters
orfrom the hulls of ships.
The species recorded are listed here with brief comments on occurrence and distribution. The detailed descriptions with figures, remarks and discussion of the different
species dealt with in this paper will appear in Internationale Revue der gesamten
Hydrobiologie, 1972.
1. Alcyonidium erectum SILEN, 1942
Several colonies were collected from appendages and carapace of Portunus pelagicus.
This species was previously recorded from Japan; this is the first record from the Indian
Ocean.
2. Alcyonidium polyoum HASSALI, 1841
Found epizoic on Penaeus indicus caught off Cochin, South-west coast of India.
A cosmopolitan, this species shows considerable intraspecific differences in the nature
of zoaria and number of tentacles.
3. Victorella pavida KENT, 1870
A common fouling bryozoan encountered in brackish waters of India. Cosmopolitan
in distribution. Physiological races with conspicuous morphological differences are
present in this species.
4. Nolella papuensis BUSK, 1886
Recorded as fouling organism from wooden and glass test panels immersed in Cochin
Harbour, SW coast of India. Indo-Pacific in distribution.
5. Vesicularia papuensis BUSK, 1886
Collected from the hull of a ship. This is the first record of this species from Indian
waters.
6. Amathia distans BU5K, 1886
Ten colonies were collected from the propeller of a boat dredged off Cochin from a
depth of 18 m. A cosmopolitan, this ctenostome displays little intraspecific variation.