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Glite Dictionary
polyzoan

polyzoan

9.9
A small animal that lives attached to rocks or seaweed and forms groups of tiny animals with tentacles
  • noun
  • /ˈpɒlɪzoʊən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : polizoo
  • The scientist examined a cluster of polyzoans attached to the rocky sea floor.

Examples

  • Many polyzoans filter microscopic particles from the water using their tentacle-bearing ridges.

  • Polyzoans reproduce by budding, resulting in extensive colonies on submerged surfaces.

  • The polyzoan is often seen on rocks.

  • Many polyzoans thrive in coastal waters.

  • Polyzoans form colonies that can cover large areas of the ocean floor, resembling small patches of moss.

  • During his research, the marine biologist discovered several polyzoans thriving on the underside of a submerged rock.

  • Polyzoans are often found living in dense groups on seaweed, which provides them with a stable environment for growth.

Synonyms

bryozoan
vspolyzoan
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small water animal that lives in groups and looks like moss

stresses reproduction by budding and specific attachment to stones or seaweed
sea moss
vspolyzoan
  • Specialized
8.9

A small animal that lives attached to rocks or seaweed and forms moss-like groups with tiny tentacles

is the same species described more neutrally without moss-like wording
moss animal
vspolyzoan
  • Specialized
9.9

A small water animal that lives in groups attached to rocks and has a ring of tentacles used for feeding

focuses on a ridge bearing tentacles rather than a circular ring

Surface Forms

polyzoan singular
polyzoans plural

Morphology

polyzoan = polyzoa (opaque) = poly + zo + an

Although the term contains the classical elements poly- 'many' and zo- 'animal', the specialized zoological meaning is not readily recoverable for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Polyzoan comes from the Greek parts poly- meaning 'many' and zoon meaning 'animal', the same root you see in zoo and zoology. So a polyzoan is literally 'many animals' — tiny animals living together in a colony on stones or seaweed, which explains why they form groups and reproduce by budding.