These minute organisms form flat colonies over the surfaces of seaweeds and under rocks looking like cells.The animals live in limy chambers and filter the seawater for food. They are hermaphrodites and fertilisation occurs within the colony before the eggs are released. Asexual reproduction increases the area of the colony across the substrate.
The Bryozoa is a phylum that forms a huge group of colonial animals which cover seaweeds and rocks. They are found primarily in the lower shore and where desiccation is not a problem. They can be food for some sea slugs. Throughout the region.
Feeding sea mat (greatly enlarged)
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