DEFINITION OF BRYOZOA

Colonial invertebrates (phylum Bryozoa) with a

calcareous membrane or chitinous membrane. They form

coral-like skeletons with hundreds or thousands of tiny holes

but are more closely related to brachiopods than corals. Some

bryozoans formed large branching colonies, whereas others

formed irregular lumpy masses. Each of the tiny holes in a

bryozoan skeleton hosts a small filter-feeding animal that

obtains its food through a lophophore similar to those of

brachiopods. They are characterized by a U-shaped alimentary

canal extending from mouth to anus and are known as

moss corals, sea mats, and polyzoans. Bryozoans have a

range from Upper Cambrian or Early Ordovician to present.

See also PALEONTOLOGY.

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