Bryozoa (or "moss animals") are the most common fossils in Cincinnati area rocks. They inhabited fresh and marine waters and have the appearance of twigs, branches, flattened unsymmetrical masses, or crusts on shells. Bryozoa are actually a zoarium (or "colony") of calcareous (made of calcium) living tubes called zooecia. Bryozoa can range in diameter from that of a pin up to many centimeters.
marine or freshwater animals that form colonies of zooids
sponge-like marine animal, often superficially resembling corals. Found as fossils in rocks.
A phylum of moss-like, marine animals that are typically colonial and live in the benthic zone. Colonies of bryzoans found on Georges Bank either have an erect, branching form (e.g., "bushy bryozoa") or a low, encrusting forms (e.g., "encrusting bryozoa").
tiny marine animals that build colonies with their shells.
Bryozoans are tiny colonial animals that generally build stony skeletons of calcium carbonate, superficially similar to coral. They are also known as moss animals or sea mats. They generally prefer warm, tropical waters but are known to occur worldwide.