Paludicellidae

Paludicellidae is a family of freshwater bryozoans. Bryozoans, also known as moss animals, are small, colonial, aquatic invertebrates. Members of the Paludicellidae family are characterized by their chitinous or calcified exoskeletons and the presence of a lophophore, a retractable crown of ciliated tentacles used for feeding. These colonies typically grow in branching or encrusting forms on submerged substrates such as rocks, logs, and aquatic vegetation. The zooids, individual units of the colony, are generally small and tubular. Paludicellidae are found in a variety of freshwater habitats, including lakes, rivers, and ponds, and are often found in areas with moderate water flow and sufficient dissolved oxygen. They are filter feeders, capturing small organic particles and plankton from the water column. Reproduction in Paludicellidae can be both asexual, through budding, and sexual, involving the release of gametes into the water. The larval stage is typically free-swimming before settling to form new colonies. While not as widely studied as some other bryozoan families, Paludicellidae plays a role in freshwater ecosystems as both a food source for some aquatic organisms and as an indicator of water quality.