Colony formation in the Cheilostomatous Bryozoan Fenestrulina Malusii var. Thykeophora

Abstract The early stages of colony formation of Fenestrulina malusii var. thyreophora are described, and notes on two other species are included for comparison. In Fenestrulina , early budding patterns are very variable, although some patterns are commoner than others. At the 3‐zooid stage of colony formation there is usually temporary suppression of budding on one side, with the result that the three first‐generation zooids produced from the ancestrula arise 1, 2, 4 in the commonest budding sequence rather than 1, 2, 3; budding patterns may be considerably modified when colonies are obstructed. In Fenestrulina and Eurystomella foraminigera the first zooid budded from the ancestrula lies in the distal midline whereas the second zooid occupies this position in Crassimarginatella papulifera . In all three species the proximal periancestrular zooids are not budded directly from the ancestrula but belong to the third zooidal generation.