A FASTER-PACED WORLD - CONTRASTS IN BIOVOLUME AND LIFE-PROCESS RATES IN CYCLOSTOME (CLASS STENOLAEMATA) AND CHEILOSTOME (CLASS GYMNOLAEMATA) BRYOZOANS

Authors
Citation
Fk. Mckinney, A FASTER-PACED WORLD - CONTRASTS IN BIOVOLUME AND LIFE-PROCESS RATES IN CYCLOSTOME (CLASS STENOLAEMATA) AND CHEILOSTOME (CLASS GYMNOLAEMATA) BRYOZOANS, Paleobiology, 19(3), 1993, pp. 335-351
Citations number
123
Categorie Soggetti
Paleontology
Journal title
ISSN journal
00948373
Volume
19
Issue
3
Year of publication
1993
Pages
335 - 351
Database
ISI
SICI code
0094-8373(1993)19:3<335:AFW-CI>2.0.ZU;2-O
Abstract
Zooids of cheilostome bryozoans are on average substantially more robu st than are zooids of cyclostome bryozoans. The differences include gr eater number, length, and cross-sectional area of tentacles, plus a mo re extensively developed funiculus. Median values for mouth size and c ilia-generated feeding current velocity are greater for cheilostomes t han for cyclostomes so that cheilostomes have the potential for greate r intake of nutrient energy per unit time, which may explain their app arently higher growth rates. For unit area of substrate occupied, the Cheilostomata (Class Gymnolaemata; members of the post-Paleozoic fauna ) contain greater biomass and apparently generate greater energy flow than do the Cyclostomata, which are the only extant order of the Class Stenolaemata (characteristic of the Paleozoic fauna).