Zoobotryon

genus of moss animal

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July 15, 2026

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Zoobotryon is a genus of bryozoans, commonly known as moss animals. These are aquatic invertebrates that form colonies made up of many connected units called zooids. Individual zooids are very small, but colonies can grow quite large, with Zoobotryon species forming masses that can be half a meter across.12

Bryozoans possess a lophophore, a ring of ciliated tentacles used to capture food particles from the water. They are divided into three classes: freshwater-dwelling Phylactolaemata, marine Stenolaemata, and mostly marine Gymnolaemata, which includes Zoobotryon.1

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moss animal
Size range and diversity of structure
…circumference; a warm-water gymnolaemate genus, Zoobotryon, which hangs from harbour pilings, and the freshwater phylactolaemate Pectinatella each produce masses that may be one-half metre across. Colonies that form crusts generally cover only a few square centimetres; erect colonies may rise only two to five centimetres (0.8–2 inches).
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…circumference; a warm-water gymnolaemate genus, Zoobotryon, which hangs from harbour pilings, and the freshwater phylactolaemate Pectinatella each produce masses that may be one-half metre across. Colonies that form crusts generally cover only a few square centimetres; erect colonies may rise only two to five centimetres (0.8–2 inches).
Read More