Records of Bryozoans in the freshwater reach of the Hudson River Estuary

Abstract

We collected statoblasts of the bryozoans Pectinatella magnifica, Lophopodella carteri, and Cristatella mucedo from multiple locations within the Hudson River Estuary and at the confluence of the Mohawk and the Hudson Rivers during benthic invertebrate sampling activities October 2009-November 2011. We identified both P. magnifica and L. carteri at geographically separated locations within the estuary. Although these animals are exclusively freshwater organisms, we found P. magnifica and L. carteri statoblasts in both freshwater and brackish water environments; only P. magnifica is considered indigenous to New York. Based upon the distribution of statoblasts, it is unknown whether C. mucedo is resident in the estuary. However, our findings indicate that the estuary and the Mohawk River have established populations of L. carteri and P. magnifica.