bryozoan

bry·o·zo·an  (br-zn)

n.

Any of various small aquatic animals of the phylum Bryozoa that reproduce by budding and form mosslike or branching colonies permanently attached to stones or seaweed. Also called moss animal, polyzoan.

adj.

Of or belonging to the Bryozoa.

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[From New Latin Bryoza, phylum name : bryo- + Greek zia, pl. of zion, animal; see -zoon.]

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bryozoan  (br-zn)

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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

bryozoan - sessile aquatic animal forming mossy colonies of small polyps each having a curved or circular ridge bearing tentacles; attach to stones or seaweed and reproduce by budding moss animal, polyzoan, sea mat, sea moss invertebrate - any animal lacking a backbone or notochord; the term is not used as a scientific classification Bryozoa, phylum Bryozoa, polyzoa - marine or freshwater animals that form colonies of zooids