The fascinating world of ctenostome bryozoans and how I got into boring things

Ctenostome bryozoans are a comparatively small group of bryozoans lacking mineralized skeletons. In many aspects they are quite unique, but remain the least studied clade among all bryozoans diversity.

As the sole bryozoan group, they have conquered marine, freshwater and brackish habitats. Also, zooidal variability and plasticity is higher than in any other bryozoan clade. This high plasticity and lack of rigid skeletons and thus reliable determinate characters makes this group a nightmare for any taxonomists and systematic biologist. Soft tissue and histological details are consequently necessary in most cases for any attempt of determination.

In this talk I will present several aspects of ctenostome biology and systematics from work over the past ten years. It will give an impression of ctenostome diversity, our lack and problems of understanding these animals and how little we know about their diversity.

Zoom Link

https://otago.zoom.us/j/97756704741?pwd=dHJNSW00dkFSdTk2VW1oSVlqOEJsUT09

Meeting ID: 977 5670 4741

Password: bioc