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- Title
Bryozoa of the South China Sea--an overview.
- Authors
Gordon, Dennis P.
- Abstract
A checklist is presented of 532 species of named and known-undescribed bryozoans (Cyclostomata 36, Ctenostomata 17, Cheilostomata 479) from the South China Sea (SCS). This level of diversity is much less than what might be anticipated (900-1000 species) and no doubt reflects the paucity of sampling and description from the deep shoals and abyssal basin, eastern margin and the southwestern coasts of the SCS, particular biotopes, and knowledge of cryptic species. About 58% of the species are from the coastal waters of China, 22% from Singapore and 6% from the SCS coast of Peninsular Malaysia. A number of species have been recorded from the SCS coasts of the Philippines and Indonesia, but only two marine species have been formally reported from Vietnam, one from the SCS coast of Thailand, and none from East Malaysia, Brunei or Cambodia. Some 58% of all species are two-dimensional encrusters. Other colony morphologies include erect-flexible (22%), erect-rigid (14%), rooted-conical (6%) and free-living (1%). The most speciose families, each with 20 or more species, are Candidae, Conescharellinidae, Phidoloporidae, Bugulidae, Membraniporidae, Calloporidae and Smittinidae. Bryozoan diversity in coral-reef environments is affected by the same threats that diminish the diversity of other marine life, particularly pollution and land-based sediment. Though many species are physically small and cryptic, bryozoans can be common in coral-reef settings and high bryozoan diversity is indicative of a healthy reef environment.
- Subjects
BRYOZOA; CYCLOSTOMATA (Bryozoa); CTENOSTOMATA; TERRITORIAL waters; SMITTINIDAE
- Publication
Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 2016, p604
- ISSN
0217-2445
- Publication type
Article