Taxonomy
Auto kenozooids, empty cells that act as spacers or stems for new branches of the colony. © A Waeschenbach and P Taylor
Tennysonia stellata forms colonies that
- consist of bifurcating branches that are rounded triangular in cross-section
- grow to about 4cm, possibly larger
- range in colour from pale rose tint to bright orange, the colour fading in dead specimens
- have a skeleton made of calcium carbonate mineral - calcite
Like other bryozoans, T. stellata exhibits zooidal polymorphism, with the feeding zooids arranged in rows.
Look-alikes
Many morphological characteristics, such as the presence of kenozooids and gonozooid morphology, are shared with another bryozoan called Heteropora.
However, Heteropora is placed in a different division - suborder Cerioporina. This demonstrates how similar morphologies have developed by convergent evolution in this group of bryozoans.