Australian Bryozoa Volume 1: Biology, Ecology and Natural History

Description

Bryozoans are aquatic animals that form colonies of connected individuals. They take a variety of forms: some are bushy and moss-like, some are flat and encrusting and others resemble lace. Bryozoans are mostly marine, with species found in all oceans from sublittoral to abyssal depths, but freshwater species also exist. Some bryozoans are of concern as marine-fouling organisms and invasive species, while others show promise as sources of anticancer, antiviral and antifouling substances. Written by experts in the field, Australian Bryozoa Volume 1: Biology, Ecology and Natural History is the first of two volumes describing Australia’s 1200 known species of bryozoans, the richest diversity of bryozoans of any country in the world. It contains chapters on the discovery of bryozoans, their morphology, classification and fossil history, their roles in biosecurity and marine benthic environments, and potential uses in biotechnology and ocean acidification. It provides an authoritative reference for biology students, academics and others interested in marine biology. Features: • The first of two volumes (published concurrently) describing Australia’s 1200 known species of bryozoans. • Comprehensively covers the history, biology, morphology, ecology, life history and economic impacts of bryozoans. • Illustrated with color photographs, diagrams and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Book Description Bryozoans are aquatic animals that form colonies of connected individuals. They take a variety of forms: some are bushy and moss-like, some are flat and encrusting and others resemble lace. Bryozoans are mostly marine, with species found in all oceans from sublittoral to abyssal depths, but freshwater species also exist. Some bryozoans are of concern as marine-fouling organisms and invasive species, while others show promise as sources of anticancer, antiviral and antifouling substances. Written by experts in the field, Australian Bryozoa Volume 1: Biology, Ecology and Natural History is the first of two volumes describing Australia’s 1200 known species of bryozoans, the richest diversity of bryozoans of any country in the world. It contains chapters on the discovery of bryozoans, their morphology, classification and fossil history, their roles in biosecurity and marine benthic environments, and potential uses in biotechnology and ocean acidification. It provides an authoritative reference for biology students, academics and others interested in marine biology. About the Author Patricia Cook was born in England, and worked at the London Natural History Museum until retiring in 1986. After retirement she came to Australia to continue her work on bryozoan systematics. She has written or co-authored about 100 papers. She was instrumental in establishing the International Bryozoology Association, of which she was secretary for many years. Pat died aged 88 in late 2015. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 4 List of authors......Page 6 1.1 Introduction......Page 8 1.2 Phylogeny and classification......Page 9 1.3 Ecology of bryozoans......Page 12 1.4 Economic significance......Page 17 References......Page 18 2.2 Early collections: 1700s and 1800s......Page 24 2.3 Collecting in the 1900s......Page 28 2.4 Bryozoa to the present, and currentstatus of collecting......Page 29 References......Page 30 3.1 External characteristics and astogeny......Page 36 3.2 Skeletal system......Page 38 3.3 Colonial tropisms, kineses and mobility......Page 40 3.4 Feeding and digestive system......Page 41 3.5 Interzooidal communications and the funicular system......Page 43 3.7 Degeneration and regeneration cycles......Page 45 3.8 Nervous system and sense organs......Page 46 3.10 Reproduction......Page 47 3.11 Genetic studies......Page 52 References......Page 54 4.1 Introduction......Page 62 4.2 Examples of bryozoan growth forms......Page 63 4.3 Substratum and attachment......Page 68 4.4 Conclusion......Page 69 References......Page 70 5.2 Australian seamounts......Page 72 5.3 Bryozoans on Australian and New Zealand seamounts......Page 73 References......Page 75 6.2 Bryozoans as marine-fouling organisms......Page 78 6.3 Alien bryozoans in Australia......Page 80 References......Page 91 Colour plates......Page 98 7.1 Introduction......Page 128 7.2 Compounds isolated from bryozoans......Page 129 7.3 Compounds used against bryozoans......Page 138 References......Page 139 8.1 Ocean acidification: an old, but new global problem......Page 146 8.4 Bryozoans as ‘canaries’......Page 147 8.5 Bryozoan growth models......Page 148 8.7 Conclusion......Page 149 References......Page 150 9.1 Introduction......Page 152 9.2 Temperate benthic environments......Page 153 9.3 Tropical benthic environments......Page 157 9.4 Environmental correlates......Page 163 Acknowledgements......Page 164 References......Page 165 A10.2 Class Stenolaemata (range Ordovician to Recent)......Page 170 A10.3 Class Gymnolaemata (range Ordovician to Recent)......Page 171 B10.2 Cenozoic......Page 172 References......Page 174 Glossary......Page 178 Index......Page 184