bryozoan

• Nom désignant un animal aquatique sessile formant des colonies encroûtantes ou arborescentes ressemblant à de la mousse, composées de petits polypes munis d'une couronne de tentacules ; ils se fixent sur les roches ou les algues et se reproduisent par bourgeonnement.

A noun referring to a sessile aquatic animal that forms mossy colonies of small polyps, each having a curved or circular ridge bearing tentacles; they attach to stones or seaweed and reproduce by budding.

1. Aquatic colonial animalC2formalscientific

   A small, sessile aquatic invertebrate that forms moss-like colonies of tiny polyps, each with a lophophore (a crown of tentacles) used for filter feeding. They attach to hard surfaces like stones, shells, or seaweed and reproduce by budding.

   Bryozoaire

   • The bryozoan colony on the rock looked like a delicate, branching moss.
   • Marine biologists studied the bryozoan's feeding behavior using a microscope.
   • Fossilized bryozoans are common in limestone deposits from the Paleozoic era.
   • The aquarium's filter system was clogged by a fast-growing bryozoan species.

   Synonymesectoproctpolyzoan