Key Innovations in the Evolution of Post-Paleozoic Bryozoans of the Class Stenolaemata

The key innovations in the evolution of post-Paleozoic bryozoans of the class Stenolaemata are analyzed. These include morphological plasticity which facilitated the emergence of diverse forms of colonies (or life forms) in the orders Tubuliporida (Ordovician–present) and Cerioporida (Triassic–present), modification of the autozooid shape in bryozoans of the order Melicerititida (Middle Jurassic–Paleocene), and zooidal polymorphism, which is widespread in bryozoans of all three orders. The transition from individual to collective trophic structuring of the stenolaemate colonies which enabled more effective capture of food particles, is also considered as a key innovation.