Abstract
We studied the growth patterns and the stable oxygen isotopic composition of an individual of Pentapora foliacea (Ellis and Solander 1786) collected on October 6, 1978 from the Bristol Channel, Pembrokeshire, UK, Irish Sea. The stable oxygen isotopes are in equilibrium with the ambient seawater and show a marked seasonal variation reflecting seasonal water temperature changes. The stable oxygen isotopes further suggest that regular growth patterns of less calcified growth bands, which are secreted in winter, are perennial. These winter growth check lines can easily be used to determine longevity of these bryozoa colonies and of annual growth rates. The colony analysed is at least 3-years-old with an annual growth rate of approximately 2 cm per year.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Cook, P. L.: Bryozoa from Ghana. Mus. r. Afr. cent. Tervuren Belg. Ann. Ser. Octavo Sci Zool. 238, 1–315 (1985)
Craig, H. and L. I. Gordon: Deuterium and oxygen-18 variations in the ocean and the marine atmosphere. In: 2nd Conf. Stable Isotopes Oceanogr. Studies Paleotemp., pp 9–120. Ed. by E. Tongiori. Univ. Lab. Geol. Nucleare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche, Pisa 1965
Eggleston, D.: The marine Polyzoa of the Isle of Man, 297 pp, doctoral thesis, University of Liverpool 1963
Eggleston, D.: Patterns of reproduction in marine Ectoprocta of the Isle of Man. J. nat. Hist. 6, 31–38 (1972)
Epstein, S., R. Buchsbaum, H. A. Lowenstam and H. C. Urey: Revised carbonate-water isotopic temperature scale. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 64, 1315–1325 (1953)
Forester, R. M., P. A. Sandberg and T. F. Anderson: Isotopic variability of Cheilostome Bryozoan skeletons. In: Living and fossil Bryozoa, pp 79–94. Ed by G. P. Larwood. London, New York: Academic Press 1973
Hayward, P. J. and J. S. Ryland: British ascophoran Bryozoans. Synopes of the British fauna, No. 14, Linn. Soc. London, New York: Academic Press 1979
Hincks, T.: A history of the British marine Polyzoa, Vol. 1, cxli+601; Vol. 2, 83 pl. London: Van Voorst 1880
Ryland, J. S.: Physiology and ecology of marine bryozoans. Adv. mar. Biol. 14, 285–443 (1976)
Stebbing, A. R. D.: Growth of Flustra foliacea (Bryozoa). Mar. Biol. 9, 267–272, (1971)
Tarutani, T., R. N. Clayton and T. K. Mayeda: The effect of polymorphism and magnesium substitution on oxygen isotope fractionation between calcium carbonate and water. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 33, 987–996 (1969)
Winston, J. E.: Patterns of growth, reproduction and mortality in Bryozoans from the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Bull. mar. Sci. 33, 688–702 (1983)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pätzold, J., Ristedt, H. & Wefer, G. Rate of growth and longevity of a large colony of Pentapora foliacea (Bryozoa) recorded in their oxygen isotope profiles. Mar. Biol. 96, 535–538 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397971
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397971