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Description:
Zoobotryon verticillatum is common in the Indian River Lagoon. Its colonies are arborescent, with
branching stolons of approximately 0.02 inches in diameter. Zooids are
sac-like and arranged along 2 sides in rows. Zooids measure approximately
0.01 – 0.02 inches in height. The lophophore has a diameter of
approximately 0.01inches, and bears 8 tentacles. A large gizzard is present.
Young colonies have transparent stolons.
Habitat:
Typical habitats for bryozoans in the Indian River
Lagoon include seagrasses, mangrove roots, drift algae, oyster reef, dock, pilings, breakwaters,
and man-made debris. Within the Indian River Lagoon,
Zoobotryon verticillatum is typically found
in fouling, seagrass and mangrove habitats. Colonies can reach 1 meter or
more in length within 6 – 8 months.
Range:
Z. verticillatum is widely distributed in
warm temperate and tropical waters in the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. It
is among the most common bryozoans in the Indian River Lagoon.
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Close up of Zoobotryon verticillatum
colonies
showing some zooids with expanded lophophores. Photo by J. Winston. Used with permission.
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The growth pattern of Zoobotryon
verticillatum. Drawing by J. Winston, courtesy of American Museum of Natural History. Used with permission.
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Z. verticillatum has the greatest biomass of
any bryozoan species in the IRL, and develops large populations throughout the
summer. It is possible that this species, due to its ability to filter
particulates from large volumes of water, contributes to the overall health of
the IRL ecosystem.
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