bryozoan
Tiny aquatic colonists
A bryozoan is a tiny aquatic invertebrate that lives in colonies, forming encrusting or branching structures on rocks, shells, and seaweed.
Each individual animal, barely visible to the naked eye, filters food particles from the water through a ring of tentacles.
Bryozoans are sometimes called moss animals because their colonies can resemble patches of moss.
They're common in marine environments but easily overlooked.
Dependent territorial settlement
- buddingDeveloping from an outgrowth
- stolonNode-sprouting ground stem
- heterozooidSpecialized colonial individual
- aviculariumModified bryozoan zooid
aggregate · modular · asexual · clonal · integration · polymorphism · division · interconnected
Marine skeletal formation
- encrustingForming a hardened covering
- corallineOf or like reef-building polyps
- lacyHaving openwork patterns
- frameworkUnderlying support system
biodiversity · tropical · substrate · algae · symbiosis · underwater · diving · conservation
Flexible grasping appendages
- filter-feederOrganism extracting food from water
- sessileAttached at base
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- operculumAnatomical lid structure
orifice · gut · anus · retractor · muscles · larvae · metamorphosis · calcified
Technique using powerful lenses
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- colonyDependent territorial settlement
- cellularComposed of small units
- specimenIndividual for examination
dissection · identification · morphology · ultrastructure · histology · sections · staining · observation
Non-saline aquatic environment
- brackishMildly salty water
- marineRelating to the sea
- benthicOf the sea bottom
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
sediment · estuary · salinity · currents · tide · delta · phytoplankton · limnology
Study of ancient organisms
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- cretaceousLast Mesozoic period
- fenestrateHaving window-like openings
cheilostome · fossilization · calcification · preservation · sedimentary · reef-building · extinction · morphology
colony
Dependent territorial settlement
- buddingDeveloping from an outgrowth
- stolonNode-sprouting ground stem
- heterozooidSpecialized colonial individual
avicularium · aggregate · modular · asexual · clonal · integration · polymorphism · division · interconnected · cooperation
coral
Marine skeletal formation
- encrustingForming a hardened covering
- corallineOf or like reef-building polyps
- lacyHaving openwork patterns
framework · biodiversity · tropical · substrate · algae · symbiosis · underwater · diving · conservation · ecosystem
tentacles
Flexible grasping appendages
- filter-feederOrganism extracting food from water
- sessileAttached at base
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
operculum · orifice · gut · anus · retractor · muscles · larvae · metamorphosis · calcified · chitinous
microscopy
Technique using powerful lenses
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- colonyDependent territorial settlement
- cellularComposed of small units
specimen · dissection · identification · morphology · ultrastructure · histology · sections · staining · observation · laboratory
freshwater
Non-saline aquatic environment
plankton · sediment · estuary · salinity · currents · tide · delta · phytoplankton · limnology · oceanography
paleontology
Study of ancient organisms
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- cretaceousLast Mesozoic period
fenestrate · cheilostome · fossilization · calcification · preservation · sedimentary · reef-building · extinction · morphology · specimen