Optimized maintenance and larval production of the bryozoan Bugula neritina (Bugulidae: Gymnolaemata) in the laboratory

In recent years, bryozoans have attracted the attention of applied scientists and marine biotechnologists since bryozoa serve as a source of bioactive substances for biotechnological appliances, e.g. for cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries and for the antifouling industry. The larval production of bryozoa is of interest for both, mariculture and for developmental investigations, e.g. for settlement assays in fouling studies. We optimised maintenance conditions of the bryozoan Bugula neritina accordingly, that larvae could be harvested sustainably within a period of 4 weeks from adult brood stocks which had been kept in bulk in flow-through containers in the laboratory. Preliminary experiments showed that moderate water flow and permanent moderate light conditions without aeration were key-parameters for a maintenance regime that maximizes and prolongs larval harvest for several weeks.