Bryozoa: Systematics

Bryozoans are divided into three groups: Phylactolaemata: Freshwater bryozoans with no zooid polymorphism, no calcification; form resistant overwintering structures known as statoblasts. No fossil record except for a few statoblasts from Quaternary sediments. Stenolaemata: Marine bryozoans with tubular zooids with calcified walls. Lophophore is protruded by action of annular muscles. Includes five sub-groups: Trepostomata: Colonies generally robust; dendroid, encrusting, or massive. (Ordovician - Triassic) Cystoporata: Colonies robust or delicate. (Ordovician - Triassic) Cryptostomata: Colonies typically delicate; foliate or dendroid. (Ordovician - Permian) Fenestrata: Colonies typically delicate; reticulate (net-like) or pinnate. (Ordovician - Triassic) Tubuliporata, or Cyclostomata (Ordovician - Recent) Gymnolaemata: Mostly marine bryozoans with cylindrical or flattened zooids. Lophophore is protruded by action of muscles pulling on frontal wall. Includes the majority of living bryozoan species, traditionally classified into two sub-groups: Ctenostomata: Uncalcified forms, including several that bore into calcareous substrates. Opercula rare. Eggs brooded in body cavity. (Ordovician - Recent; almost all fossils are traces of boring forms.) Cheilostomata: Calcified forms, usually with opercula. Eggs usually brooded in ovicells. (Jurassic - Recent; includes majority of living forms.)