moss animal; bryozoan
Refers to any animal of the phylum Bryozoa. A technical term in zoology, but also encountered in general contexts.
Bryozoans are small aquatic animals that form colonies.
Bryozoans were attached to the rocks on the shore.
Katakana spelling is common for this biological term; the word is usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is rare; the word is usually written in kana.
Compound of 苔 (koke, “moss”) + 虫 (mushi, “insect, bug”), from the moss-like appearance of bryozoan colonies.