What is Lophophore?
[[Image:Freshwater Bryozoan234.JPG|thumb|right|Freshwater bryozoan with lophophore extended]] [[File:Liospiriferina_rostrata_Noir.jpg|thumb|A brachidium, a lophophore support, visible between the valves of the [[Lower Jurassic]] (Pliensbachian) brachiopod ''Spiriferina rostrata'' (35 x 30 mm)]] The '''lophophore''' is the characteristic feeding organ of four major groups of animals: the [[Brachiopoda]], [[Bryozoa]], [[Entoprocta]], and [[Phoronida]].<ref name=ucmp>[http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/phyla/lophotrochozoa.html Introduction to the Lophotrochozoa] - accessed 03 May 2010</ref> All lophophores are found in aquatic organisms. ==Characteristics== It can most easily be described as a ring of [[cilia]]ted tentacles surrounding the mouth. It is often horseshoe-shaped or coiled. [[Phoronid]]s have their lophophores in plain view, but the valves of [[brachiopod]]s must be opened wide to get a good view of their lophophore. The lophophore surrounds the mouth and is an upstream collecting system for suspension feeding. The gut is U-shaped with the anterior mouth at the center of the lophophore. The [[anus]], where present, is also anterior, and is above the mouth. In the Bryozoa it is outside the ring of the lophophore; in the Entoprocta the anus is within the ring of the lophophore. Some brachiopods do not have an anus. == References == {{Reflist}} [[Category:Invertebrates]] [[Category:Developmental biology]]