Salinity Tolerance in Four Estuarine Species of Bryozoa.

Abstract

Experimental studies on the salinity tolerance of four bryozoan species revealed their marked euryhalinity. Vesicularia papuensis and Bowerbankia gracilis showed moderate tolerance to 20 to 30 ppt and 25 to 35 ppt respectively. Zoobotryon verticillatum (15 to 35 ppt) and Membranipora tuberculata (20 to 37.5 ppt) showed a wide range of tolerances. Continuous observations on the zooidal responses of the bryozoan species and their morphological changes at various salinities are also discussed.