Ma'anar ƙamus na kalmar "bryozoan" memba ne na phylum Bryozoa, rukuni na dabbobi masu rarrafe a cikin ruwa waɗanda suka zama yankuna na ƙananan ƙwayoyin cuta. Waɗannan yankuna, waɗanda kuma ake kira "dabbobin gandaye," ana siffanta su da jerin ƙanana, ɗakuna masu alaƙa ko zooids waɗanda ake amfani da su don ciyarwa da haifuwa. Ana samun Bryozoans a cikin mahalli na ruwa da na ruwa kuma suna taka muhimmiyar rawa wajen aiki da yanayin halittu azaman masu ciyarwa da tacewa da kuma matsayin tushen abinci ga sauran halittu.