SOME SOUTH AFRICAN BRYOZOA

Abstract

Part of the material described was obtained from the hulls of ships and from immersed experimental plates in Table Bay Harbour; the rest was collected during ecological work on the South African coasts. In all 36 species have been recognized. Of these one, Parasmittina natalense, is considered a new species and three, Acanthodesia savarti, Conopeum reticulum and Cryptosula pallasiana, do not appear to have been recorded previously from South Africa.

The well-preserved specimens in the present collection have allowed observations to be made on the wide range of variation in some species, on a new method of branching and on the ancestrulae and early development of certain species. It has also been possible to reconsider some of the previous identifications and to make certain necessary alterations in nomenclature.