Colonial aquatic invertebrates, often mistaken for coral, in which thousands of genetically identical microscopic individuals (zooids) build a shared calcified or gelatinous skeleton. Bryozoa colonies grow as encrusting sheets, branching tufts or free-living mats on submerged surfaces in both marine and freshwater habitats.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Member Count Band Era First Appeared Disputed
Member Species/Taxa CountApproximate described-species (or, for a genus, described-taxon) count; continually revised as species are newly described, reclassified or synonymized. Classification
Living or Extinct Connections
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ148134, descriptionView the Source 2. Catalogue of Life
3. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Bryozoa
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCountQuote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 5442
4. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Bryozoa
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Bryozoa" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 521 ... "early_interval": "Stage 3"
Wikidata: Bryozoa
Wikidata Q148134, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Bryozoa, Wikipedia
In Group: Minor Animal Phyla, LeadQuote, In Group: Minor Animal Phyla, Lead
The Bryozoa (also known as the Polyzoa, Ectoprocta or commonly as moss animals) are a phylum of simple, aquatic invertebrate animals, nearly all living in sedentary colonies.
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