Review of the Studies of Japanese Entoprocts (Entoprocta)

Abstract

The study of entoprocts in Japanese waters was begun in 1890 by Asajiro Oka, who described 1 colonial species from central Japan. To date, 30 solitary and 11 colonial species have been reported from the northern subarctic (Hokkaido) to the southern subtropics (Okinawa) of Japan. This chapter provides a review of the diversity of entoprocts in Japan and summarizes interesting aspects of this animal group as revealed by the studies of Japanese entoprocts, such as reproductive strategies, variations and benefits of commensalism, and phylogeny. Current problems of their taxonomy are also discussed.