bryozoan

[ brahy-uh-zoh-uhn ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Bryozoa.

noun

1. Also called moss animal. any sessile marine or freshwater animal of the phylum Bryozoa, forming branching, encrusting, or gelatinous mosslike colonies of many small polyps, each having a circular or horseshoe-shaped ridge bearing ciliated tentacles, occurring on algae or on shaded objects.

bryozoan

/ ˌbraɪəˈzəʊən /

noun

1. any aquatic invertebrate animal of the phylum Bryozoa , forming colonies of polyps each having a ciliated feeding organ (lophophore) Popular namesea mat

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Bryozoa

bryozoan

/ brī′ə-zō′ən /

1. Any of various small aquatic invertebrate animals of the phylum Bryozoa that are capable of forming vast mosslike or branching colonies attached to seaweed or hard surfaces. Bryozoans reproduce by budding and feed on minute particles of plankton that they capture with tentacles. They are probably related to the phoronids and are the only animal phylum that does not appear in the fossil record until the early Ordovician Period.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bryozoan¹

First recorded in 1870–75; Bryozo(a) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of bryozoan¹

C19: from Greek bruon moss + zōion animal

Example Sentences

Nearly 30 years ago, scientists discovered a unique class of anticancer molecules in a family of bryozoans, a phylum of marine invertebrates found in tropical waters.

From Science Daily

The pattern of cells in the nervous system suggested the animals belong to a vast group called the lophotrochozoans, which includes mollusks, corallike animals called bryozoans, brachiopods, and flatworms.

From Science Magazine

These ecosystems, which are key for the protection of coastal areas from different tropical storms, also provide a habitat for many organisms, including algae, barnacles, oysters, sponges and bryozoans.

From Fox News

Dr. Haygood welcomed today’s guests of honor with gloves: shipworms, pholadidae and bryozoans, the oddballs that might bring drugs to the table.

From New York Times

The most common critters were bryozoans—tiny invertebrates.

From Scientific American