A CORAL-BRYOZOAN ASSOCIATION FROM THE NEOGENE OF NORTHWESTERN EUROPE

The Neogene cheilostomatous bryozoan Celleporaria palmata lived facult atively in association with the scleractinian coral Culicia. For Culic ia the association was obligatory, the symbiosis was most probably mut ualistic. Benefits for the coral appear to have been: (1) the bryozoan provided substrate in a soft-bottom environment; (2) the coral could feed at higher levels above the sediment; (3) the feeding currents gen erated by the bryozoan provided the corals with food (no competition f or food would occur as the coral would collect larger prey); and (4) t he surrounding of the corallites by the bryozoan provided strength and lateral protection. Benefits for the bryozoan appear to have been: (1 ) the stinging cells of the coral provided protection against predator s and settlers; (2) the positioning of the corals on the maculae saved the bryozoan subsequent energy expenditure in further construction of polymorphs and secondary calcification. Negative effects for the bryo zoan might have been the inhibition of possible functions of the macul ae other than as exhalant chimneys, e.g., production and generation of male gametes.