Phylum Ectoprocta
the echinoderms- starfish, sand dollars, sea urchins, sea cucumber
Phylum Ectoprocta, also known as Bryozoa, are small aquatic animals that live in colonies. They are mostly found in marine environments but can also be found in freshwater environments. Here are some features of Phylum Ectoprocta:
1. Colonies: Ectoprocts live in colonies, which are composed of hundreds or thousands of individuals. Each individual, known as a zooid, is only about 0.1 to 0.5 millimeters long. Zooids are attached to a substrate, either directly or via a stalk. The colony can take on various shapes, such as branching, encrusting, or mat-like.
2. Tentacle Crown: The zooids have a tentacle crown that is used for feeding and respiration. The tentacle crown is made up of ciliated tentacles that capture food particles and move them towards the mouth. The tentacle crown also helps with gas exchange.
3. Chitinous exoskeleton: The zooids secrete a chitinous exoskeleton that covers their body and tentacle crown. This exoskeleton is sometimes referred to as a “house.” The house can be tubular, box-like, or cylindrical in shape, and is an important characteristic for identifying different ectoproct species.
4. Reproduction: Ectoprocts can reproduce sexually or asexually. In sexual reproduction, eggs and sperm are released into the water, where fertilization takes place. The resulting zygotes develop into larvae that eventually settle and attach to a substrate, where they grow into new colonies. In asexual reproduction, new zooids bud off from existing ones, allowing the colony to grow and expand.
5. Ecology: Ectoprocts play an important role in marine and freshwater ecosystems. They are filter feeders, feeding on small particles in the water column. They also provide habitat for other organisms, such as crustaceans and polychaete worms, which can live and feed on the ectoproct colony. Additionally, the chitinous exoskeleton of ectoprocts can provide important substrates for other organisms to settle and attach to, such as algae and barnacles.
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