''Membranipora'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

bryozoa Bryozoa (also known as the Polyzoa, Ectoprocta or commonly as moss animals) are a phylum of simple, aquatic invertebrate animals, nearly all living in sedentary colonies. Typically about long, they have a special feeding structure called a l ...

ns in the family

Membraniporidae 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 n ...

. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''

Membranipora membranacea ''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 encrus ...

'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', ''L. hyperborea'', and ''Saccorhiza polyschides''. Colonies of ''M. membranacea'' show different forms of

polyphenism A polyphenic trait is a trait for which multiple, discrete phenotypes can arise from a single genotype as a result of differing environmental conditions. It is therefore a special case of phenotypic plasticity. There are several types of polyphen ...

as spines, tower zooids, chimneys and stolons.

Reproduction

The eggs of ''M. membranipora'' develop into planktonic

cyphonautes A cyphonautes is a larva of an ectoproct or bryozoan. It is triangular in profile with a heavily ciliated band called the corona at the base of the triangle and a sense organ at the apex (''cypho''-, bent; ''nautes'', sailor). The beating of coro ...

larva A larva (; plural larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle. The ...

e which is strongly triangular in outline and about 850μm x 600μm big.

Species

Species: *'' Membranipora aborescens'' *''

Membranipora aculeata ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora acuminata'' *'' Membranipora acuum'' *'' Membranipora aedificata'' *''

Membranipora aequalis ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora aftonensis'' *'' Membranipora aftonia'' *'' Membranipora albensis'' *''

Membranipora albida ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora allita ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora almerai ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora alveolus'' *''

Membranipora ambigua ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora ameghinoi ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora americana ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora ampla ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora ancarteri ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora angulosa ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora aperta ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora arborea ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora arcana ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora arcifera ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora arctica ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora arenulata'' *''

Membranipora areolata ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora argus ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora artini'' *'' Membranipora atabekjani'' *'' Membranipora aviculifera'' *'' Membranipora baccata'' *'' Membranipora baculina'' *''

Membranipora bellis ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora bemensis'' *'' Membranipora benjamini'' *'' Membranipora berthelseni'' *'' Membranipora biarritziana'' *''

Membranipora bifoliata ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora bioculata'' *'' Membranipora bipunctata'' *'' Membranipora bispinosa'' *'' Membranipora boulei'' *'' Membranipora bramensis'' *'' Membranipora branscombensis'' *'' Membranipora bruennichi'' *'' Membranipora brunnea'' *'' Membranipora bueltenensis'' *'' Membranipora bulbillifera'' *''

Membranipora californica ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

Membranipora commixta ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora complanata ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora composita'' *'' Membranipora conficiens'' *'' Membranipora contexta'' *'' Membranipora contracta'' *'' Membranipora convexa'' *'' Membranipora coronata'' *'' Membranipora crassimargo'' *''

Membranipora crespinae ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora cristallina'' *'' Membranipora cubitalis'' *'' Membranipora cuckmerensis'' *'' Membranipora cuculligera'' *'' Membranipora cyclopora'' *'' Membranipora cyclostoma'' *''

Membranipora deborahae ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora declivis'' *''

Membranipora dennanti ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora dimorphocella'' *'' Membranipora disjuncta'' *'' Membranipora distefanoi'' *'' Membranipora dolina'' *'' Membranipora dorbignyana'' *'' Membranipora dubia'' *'' Membranipora dugossonei'' *'' Membranipora dutertrei'' *''

Membranipora duvergieriae ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora eastonensis'' *''

Membranipora ebeidii ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora echinata'' *'' Membranipora eleanorae'' *'' Membranipora elizabethiensis'' *'' Membranipora elliptica'' *'' Membranipora endozooecialis'' *'' Membranipora eocena'' *'' Membranipora evanescens'' *'' Membranipora excavata'' *'' Membranipora falloti'' *'' Membranipora famelica'' *''

Membranipora fannia ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora fascelis'' *'' Membranipora fastigii'' *''

Membranipora faustina ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora faviola'' *'' Membranipora fecampensis'' *'' Membranipora fenestralis'' *'' Membranipora fenestrella'' *'' Membranipora fissura'' *'' Membranipora fistula'' *'' Membranipora flabellata'' *'' Membranipora flabellata'' *'' Membranipora flicki'' *'' Membranipora fluonia'' *''

Membranipora fonteia ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora fornicina ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora fossata'' *'' Membranipora fossulifera'' *'' Membranipora frontalis'' *''

Membranipora fulcra ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora galeria'' *''

Membranipora galvia ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora gardiana'' *'' Membranipora gentili'' *'' Membranipora gerana'' *'' Membranipora germana'' *'' Membranipora gharanensis'' *'' Membranipora gigantea'' *'' Membranipora gigantissima'' *'' Membranipora girondina'' *'' Membranipora globulosa'' *''

Membranipora granti ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora gravensis'' *'' Membranipora harmeri'' *''

Membranipora hastingi ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora hebens'' *'' Membranipora hennei'' *'' Membranipora heterospinosa'' *'' Membranipora hexagona'' *'' Membranipora hursleiensis'' *''

Membranipora hyadesi ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora impolita ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora impressa ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora impressata'' *'' Membranipora inaequalis'' *'' Membranipora incurvata'' *''

Membranipora inornata ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora insultans'' *'' Membranipora intricata'' *'' Membranipora irregularis'' *'' Membranipora isabelleana'' *'' Membranipora kayeum'' *''

Membranipora kiowana ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora kischenewensis'' *'' Membranipora krimskojensis'' *'' Membranipora lacrymopora'' *'' Membranipora laevigata'' *'' Membranipora laevissima'' *'' Membranipora lata'' *''

Membranipora leo ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', ''L ...

'' *'' Membranipora ligeriensis'' *'' Membranipora ligulata'' *''

Membranipora limbata ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora limburgensis'' *'' Membranipora longifissa'' *'' Membranipora longipes'' *'' Membranipora maastrichtensis'' *'' Membranipora magnispina'' *'' Membranipora malaccensis'' *'' Membranipora mamillaris'' *'' Membranipora mamillifera'' *'' Membranipora maplestonei'' *'' Membranipora margaritifera'' *'' Membranipora marssoni'' *'' Membranipora marssoniana'' *'' Membranipora maxima'' *''

Membranipora meandrina ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora megapora'' *''

'' *'' Membranipora meunieri'' *'' Membranipora meunieri'' *'' Membranipora minuscula'' *'' Membranipora morningtoniensis'' *'' Membranipora munda'' *'' Membranipora nanula'' *'' Membranipora nellioides'' *'' Membranipora nellioides'' *''

Membranipora nicklesi ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora nitidula'' *'' Membranipora nobilis'' *'' Membranipora nordgaardiana'' *'' Membranipora operculata'' *'' Membranipora orbavicularia'' *'' Membranipora orlowi'' *'' Membranipora ornata'' *'' Membranipora osburni'' *'' Membranipora ossuaria'' *'' Membranipora ovalis'' *'' Membranipora ovata'' *'' Membranipora ovifera'' *'' Membranipora ovigera'' *''

Membranipora pachundakii ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora pachytheca ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora pallaryi ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora palpebra ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora papyracea'' *'' Membranipora parvicella'' *'' Membranipora parvula'' *''

Membranipora patellaris ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora paucispinata'' *''

Membranipora pegma ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora pererrans'' *'' Membranipora perincerta'' *''

Membranipora perspicata ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *''

Membranipora pertenera ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora pervinquierei'' *'' Membranipora philostracites'' *'' Membranipora plebicola'' *'' Membranipora plicatella'' *'' Membranipora plicatelloides'' *'' Membranipora pollex'' *'' Membranipora polystachys'' *'' Membranipora pontpourqueyensis'' *''

Membranipora portus ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

Membranipora santonensis ''Membranipora'' is a genus of bryozoans in the family Membraniporidae. A typical example is the widely distributed species ''Membranipora membranacea'' that commonly encrusts seaweeds, particularly fronds of the kelps ''Laminaria digitata'', '' ...

'' *'' Membranipora scanica'' *'' Membranipora scotneiensis'' *'' Membranipora seafordensis'' *'' Membranipora securigera'' *'' Membranipora selandica'' *'' Membranipora semilunaris''

References

* Okamura, B. and J.C. Partridge (1999). "Suspension feeding adaptations to extreme flow environments in a marine bryozoan." ''Biol. Bull.'' 196: 205–215 * Padilla, D. K. and C. D. Harvell (1996). "Inducible aggression and intraspecific competition for space in a marine bryozoan, ''Membranipora membranacea''". ''Limnol. Oceanogr.'' 41: 505–512 * Stricker, S. A., C. G. Reed & R.L. Zimmer (1988a). The cyphonautes larva of the marine Bryozoan ''Membranipora membranacea''. 1. General morphology, body wall, and gut. ''Can. J. Zool.'' 66: 368–383. * Stricker, S. A., C. G. Reed & R.L. Zimmer (1988b). The cyphonautes Larva of the Marine Bryozoan ''Membranipora membranacea''. 2. Internal sac, musculature, and pyriform organ. ''Can. J. Zool.'' 66: 384–398. Bryozoan genera Cheilostomatida {{bryozoan-stub