What is byrozoa?

Bryozoa, also known as moss animals or sea mats, are a phylum of aquatic invertebrate animals. They form colonies of tiny individual animals known as zooids that are interconnected by a common mesh of tissue. These colonies can range in size from a few millimeters to several meters and are found in marine and freshwater habitats worldwide.

Bryozoans feed primarily on plankton and other small organisms, using a crown of tentacles that surrounds their mouth. They play an important role in marine ecosystems, providing habitat and food for many other species.

Bryozoans have a fossil record that dates back over 500 million years, making them one of the oldest phyla of animals on Earth. They have a complex life cycle that involves asexual and sexual reproduction, with some species exhibiting unique reproductive strategies such as cyclic hermaphroditism.

Some bryozoans are considered pests, as they can form colonies that clog pipes and fouling on boats, while others are used in biomedical research for their ability to regenerate damaged tissue. Overall, bryozoans are a fascinating group of animals with a diverse range of ecological, evolutionary, and economic importance.