Connector Lines in BPMN Diagrams Reference

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Connector lines represent sequence flows when they connect two objects in the same BPMN pool. Objects in different BPMN pools cannot be connected by sequence flow, but they can synchronize via message flow. A connector line between two objects in different pools that represents a message flow displays with a dashed line. Moving an object from one pool to another also breaks the sequence flow and converts the connection to a message-style line.

This connecting object...	has these properties...
Sequence Flow	Solid line arrow connecting two shapes in the same BPMN pool. The sequence flow lines define the flow of transactions through the model.
Message Flow	Dashed line arrow providing communication between two pools, from a source to a possible target within another pool. Message flow lines send information, not transactions. They may connect to pool edges as well as shapes in the target pool.
Association	Dotted line that annotates a shape, similar to a callout. Association lines are also used for compensation flow, which is not part of the sequence flow. Associations are for annotation only.
Default Sequence Flow	Slash on a sequence flow line that indicates the default path when conditions exist on the flow out of an activity or gateway.