Freshwater bryozoans of Lithuania (Bryozoa)

Abstract

Nine species of freshwater bryozoans were recorded in Lithuania in a survey of 18 various types of freshwater bodies. Eight species were assigned to the Class Phylactolaemata and families Plumatellidae and Cristatellidae (Plumatella repens, Plumatella fungosa, Plumatella fruticosa, Plumatella casmiana, Plumatella emarginata, Plumatella geimermassardi, Hyalinella punctata and Cristatella mucedo). The ninth species, Paludicella articulata, represented the Class Gymnolaemata. Plumatella geimermassardi and P. casmiana were recorded for the first time in Lithuania. For the plu-matellids, species identification was achieved partly by analysing statoblasts’ morphological ultrastructures by scanning electron microscopy.