Free-living bryozoans from the Korytnica Clays (Middle Miocene; Holy Cross Mountains, Central Poland)

Abstract

The free-living bryozoans occurring commonly in the Middle Miocene (Badenian) Korytnica Clays (southern slopes of the Holy Cross Mountains, Central Poland) are represented by the three species, viz.: Cupuladria vindobonensis BAŁUK & RADWAŃSKI, Reussirella haidingeri (REUSS), and Lunulites androsaces MANZONI. All of them are studied in regard with their taxonomy, and some morphological features (number of kenozoidal chambers in Cupuladria vindobonensis, coverage of zooecia by a calcareous lamina in Reussirella haidingeri) are discussed as important for recognition of the variability within these species.
The colony regeneration is presented in all the three species, and this is primarily important for Cupuladria vindobonensis in which it is thought to have been responsible for the survival of the species within particular biotopes of the Korytnica Basin.