Freshwater Bryozoa study in Lithuania : past and present

Abstract

Bryozoans (Bryozoa) are among the most fascinating invertebrate animals, which lead a hidden existence under water. The most species of bryozoans lives in the marine water, some in freshwater. Freshwater bryozoans are among the most important filter feeders, along with sponges and mussels. Thus, they perform water cleaning and protection functions. The colonies of bryozoa serve as food or habitats for other invertebrates. Several species of moss animals are as a host of fish parasites for example microscopic myxozoans that can to cause of proliferative kidney disease in salmon and for that reason fishermen are experiencing significant loss. Sometimes bryozoans can cause problems in a human’s life as can clog pipes of water, treatment facilities of sewages or the cooling pipes of power stations. According to Fauna European (2013) there are 21 freshwater bryozoan’s species in Europe, with a number of these species being recorded in neighbouring countries (Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and Belarus). Little is known about bryozoans in Lithuania, other than one thesis conducted during 1931-1933 by B. Pajiedaitė, who found 7 freshwater bryozoans species and described it. Unfortunately from 1933 and onwards no further studies in Lithuania have been conducted on these invertebrates for the past 82 years. Our study has two main aims: (1) to collect and review all available information related to the Lithuanian bryozoans, emphasizing the importance of the bryozoans in ecosystems and human life; and (2) to declare that bryozoans’ research Lithuania has been restarted.