What is the Difference Between Bryozoans and Corals?

Bryozoans and corals are both aquatic invertebrates that form colonies and have calcium carbonate skeletons. However, they belong to different phyla and have distinct characteristics:

• Phylum: Bryozoans belong to the phylum Bryozoa, while corals belong to the phylum Cnidaria.
• Habitat: Bryozoans can be found in freshwater, marine, or sometimes brackish water habitats, while corals are strictly marine organisms.
• Tentacles: Bryozoans have tentacles called lophophores without stinging cells, while corals have tentacles with nematocysts or stinging cells.
• Building Units: The building unit of a bryozoan colony is called a zooid, while the building unit of a coral colony is called a polyp.
• Reef Formation: Bryozoans are generally more complex organisms than corals and do not build reefs.
• Feeding: Both bryozoans and corals feed using tentacles, but bryozoans have a crown of tentacles surrounding their mouth, which they use for feeding.

In summary, bryozoans and corals are both colonial aquatic invertebrates, but they belong to different phyla and have distinct characteristics in terms of their habitat, tentacles, building units, reef formation, and feeding mechanisms.

Comparative Table: Bryozoans vs Corals

Here is a table comparing the differences between bryozoans and corals:

Bryozoans and corals are both aquatic invertebrates that form calcium carbonate skeletons and exist as colonial animals. They have tentacles and are sessile creatures. However, bryozoans belong to the phylum Bryozoa, while corals belong to the phylum Cnidaria. Additionally, bryozoans can be found in freshwater, marine, and sometimes brackish water habitats, while corals are strictly marine organisms.