(No common name)

ORDER

Plumatellida

FAMILY

Plumatellidae

TAXONOMY

Plumatella fungosa Pallas, 1768, Stariza River, Russia.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

None known.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Young colony composed of branched tubules spreading across submerged substratum. Zooids initially are oriented along the substratum but become erect when crowded. Older colonies reach a thickness up to 2 in (50 mm). As in all plumatellids, two types of statoblasts are produced: Floatoblasts have a ring of air-filled chambers for buoyancy and are released freely from the living colony. Sesoblasts lack air chambers and are cemented directly to the substratum.

DISTRIBUTION

North America, Europe, and northern Asia.

HABITAT

Still or gently flowing water. Thrives in eutrophic conditions and tolerates organic pollution better than other bryozoan species.

BEHAVIOR

Nothing is known.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Feeds continuously, ingesting suspended particles from the water, presumably deriving most nutrition from bacteria and detritus.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Sexual activity begins early in the season. Motile stages are released in late June and early July. Statoblasts are produced throughout the season in great abundance.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not listed by the IUCN.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

Colonies can clog pipes and filters in irrigation and water treatment systems.