Monobryozoon

Monobryozoon is a genus of bryozoans belonging to the family Monobryozoidae.

The species of this genus are found in Northern Europe.

These species, as their name suggests, are unique in the Bryozoan phylum, as they are single organisms, rather than colonies. (Monobryozoon is Greek for "Alone Moss Animal")

They are considered almost mythical among scientists as they are very rare. As of 2024 the species M. ambulans had only been discovered three different times. (First in 1900 by Adolf Remane, second in 1936, latest in 2022)

Species M. bulbosum was found once in 1972, and the last species, M. sandersi, was reported in 1981, but has yet to be confirmed, and remains unsubstantiated.

Species:


 * Monobryozoon ambulans Remane, 1936
 * Monobryozoon bulbosum Ott, 1972
 * Monobryozoon sandersi d'Hondt & Hayward, 1981