Substrate Discrimination in Pectinatella Magnifica Leidy (Bryozoa)

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Abstract
1. This study is concerned with the role of particle size in habitat selection by the larvae of the colonial bryozoan Pectinatella magnifica Leidy. 2. All experiments were conducted at 25° C. with a 14/10 LD photoperiod. 3. When larvae are provided with a clean glass surface only, they settle and metamorphose with no apparent difficulty. 4. If natural pebbles are provided, the larvae will favour the stone over the glass surface. 5. As the size of substrate particle is reduced, the selective favour is likewise reduced. 6. If larvae encounter only sand-size particles, the preference will return to the glass surface. 7. In experiments in which larvae are offered various other surfaces, settling larvae clearly favoured naturally occurring surfaces over manufactured materials.