Bryozoan colonies consist of zooids, which can differ in structure and function. Most heteromorphic zooids are unable to feed and autozooids supply them with nutrients. The structure of the tissues providing nutrient transfer is poorly investigated. Here, I present a detailed description of the colonial system of integration (CSI) and communication pores in autozooids and avicularia of the cheilosome bryozoan Terminoflustra membranaceotruncata. The CSI is the nutrient transport and distribution system in the colony. In both autozooids and avicularia it consists of a single cell type, that is, elongated cells, and has a variable branching pattern, except for the presence of a peripheral cord. The general similarity in the CSI structure in avicularia and autozooids is probably due to the interzooidal type of the avicularium. Interzooidal avicularia are likely to consume only a part of the nutrients delivered to them by the CSI, and they transit the rest of the nutrients further. The variability and irregularity of branching pattern of the CSI may be explained by the presence of single communication pores and their varying number. The structure of communication pores is similar regardless of their location (in the transverse or lateral wall) and the type of zooid in contact. Rosette complexes include a cincture cell, a few special cells, and a few limiting cells. Along each zooidal wall, there are communication pores with both unidirectional and bidirectional polarity of special cells. However, the total number of nucleus-containing lobes of special cells is approximately the same on each side of any zooidal wall. Supposing the polarity of special cells reflects the direction of nutrient transport, the pattern of special cells polarity is probably related to the need for bidirectional transport through each zooidal wall. The possibility for such transport is important in large perennial colonies with wide zones of autozooids undergoing polypide degeneration.

中文翻译：

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成为中转纽带：自体动物和Terminoflustra membranaceotruncata（苔藓动物：Cheilostomata）的针形动物的整合和通讯孔的群体系统结构的相似性

苔藓虫群落由动物体组成，其结构和功能可能有所不同。大多数异形动物无法进食，而自体动物为它们提供营养。提供营养物质转移的组织结构的研究很少。在这里，我详细描述了舌体苔藓虫Terminoflustra membranaceotruncata的自体动物和针孔中的群体整合系统 (CSI) 和通讯孔。 CSI 是群体中的养分运输和分配系统。在类动物和鸟形动物中，它由单一细胞类型（即细长细胞）组成，并且具有可变的分支模式，除了外周索的存在之外。鸟形动物和类动物的 CSI 结构的普遍相似性可能是由于鸟形动物的间类动物类型所致。虫间类鸟形虫可能只消耗 CSI 提供给它们的一部分营养物质，并将其余营养物质转移到更远的地方。 CSI 分支模式的可变性和不规则性可以通过单个连通孔的存在及其不同的数量来解释。无论连通孔的位置（在横壁或侧壁中）以及接触的动物体的类型如何，连通孔的结构都是相似的。玫瑰花结复合体包括一个束状细胞、一些特殊细胞和一些限制细胞。沿着每个动物壁，有特殊细胞具有单向和双向极性的连通孔。然而，任何动物壁每一侧的特殊细胞的含核叶总数大致相同。假设特殊细胞的极性反映了营养物质运输的方向，那么特殊细胞极性的模式可能与通过每个动物壁的双向运输的需要有关。这种运输的可能性对于具有大范围自生动物经历虫体变性的大型多年生群体来说非常重要。