Gymnolaema

/ˌɡɪmnoʊˈliːmə/ noun

Definition

A group of microscopic marine animals called bryozoans (sea mats) that lack an outer lip-like structure around their feeding openings.

Etymology

From Greek 'gymnos' (naked) + 'laima' (throat, gullet). The term describes bryozoans with unadorned mouth regions.

Kelly Says

Gymnolaematous bryozoans form coral-like colonies that look like intricate lace underwater—they're filter feeders that have been building underwater gardens since the Ordovician period, over 450 million years ago!

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