Stenolaemata
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| iStenolaemata | ||||||
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Order Cyclostomatida |
Stenolaemata are marine bryozoans with tubular zooids with strongly calcified walls. They are characterized by a lophophore which is protruded by the action of annular muscles. Most forms lack an operculum. Stenolaemata were the predominant Bryozoan group during the Paleozoic. Some grew as lacy or fan-like colonies that became important reef builders and in some regions form an abundant component of limestones. Their numbers were greatly reduced during the terminal Permian extinction event.
