Did Some Bryozoans Evolve to Live Alone Instead of in Colonies?

💡 The Answer

• Most bryozoans live in stationary colonies attached to surfaces.
• However, certain species evolved to be solitary as an adaptation.
• These solitary forms are found in four genera: Aethozooides, Aethozoon, Franzenella, Monobryozoon.
• This adaptation occurred for life in sand (mesopsammal) or deep-sea habitats.
• It represents a rare secondarily solitary form, not primitive coloniality.