TY - JOUR
T1 - The identification, distribution and biology of encrusting species of Alcyonidium (Bryozoa: Ctenostomatida) around the coasts of Ireland
AU - Porter, Joanne S.
AU - Ryland, John S.
N1 - Ryland, J. S., Porter, J. S. (2006).. The identification, distribution and biology of encrusting species of Alcyonidium (Bryozoa: Ctenostomatida) around the coasts of Ireland . Biology and Environment, 106B, (1), 19-33.
PY - 2006/3/27
Y1 - 2006/3/27
N2 - Species of Alcyonidium occur commonly on rocky shores and in the shallow sublittoral. Five of them,
A. diaphanum, A. gelatinosum, A. hirsutum, A. mytili and A. polyoum , are described, including new
taxonomic information. A. gelatinosum has been the subject of extensive nomenclatural confusion, its
name until recently having been incorrectly applied to two other species (A. diaphanum and A.
polyoum). Three species, A. gelatinosum, A. mytili and A. polyoum, have been consistently
misidentified. However, A. mytili is oviparous, whereas A. gelatinosum and A. polyoum are
larviparous. A. gelatinosum and A. polyoum can be distinguished by, for example, gut shape, tentacle
number and number of embryos per brood chamber, but breeding season is the main distinguishing
characteristic, as A. gelatinosum is a winter breeder (like A. hirsutum ) and A. polyoum reproduces in
summer (or in autumn in some places outside Ireland). New data on settlement seasons are presented
and the variation found between localities is discussed. A key to species is included. Irish distributions
are given, corrected from the literature where possible, and based on a recent survey by the authors.
A. gelatinosum and A. hirsutum are by far the most widespread and abundant species.
AB - Species of Alcyonidium occur commonly on rocky shores and in the shallow sublittoral. Five of them,
A. diaphanum, A. gelatinosum, A. hirsutum, A. mytili and A. polyoum , are described, including new
taxonomic information. A. gelatinosum has been the subject of extensive nomenclatural confusion, its
name until recently having been incorrectly applied to two other species (A. diaphanum and A.
polyoum). Three species, A. gelatinosum, A. mytili and A. polyoum, have been consistently
misidentified. However, A. mytili is oviparous, whereas A. gelatinosum and A. polyoum are
larviparous. A. gelatinosum and A. polyoum can be distinguished by, for example, gut shape, tentacle
number and number of embryos per brood chamber, but breeding season is the main distinguishing
characteristic, as A. gelatinosum is a winter breeder (like A. hirsutum ) and A. polyoum reproduces in
summer (or in autumn in some places outside Ireland). New data on settlement seasons are presented
and the variation found between localities is discussed. A key to species is included. Irish distributions
are given, corrected from the literature where possible, and based on a recent survey by the authors.
A. gelatinosum and A. hirsutum are by far the most widespread and abundant species.
M3 - Article
VL - 106B
SP - 19
EP - 33
JO - Biology and Environment
JF - Biology and Environment
IS - 1
ER -