Family FREDERICELLIDAE Hyatt, 1868

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Introduction

Colonies consist of narrow, branching tubules often growing outwards from the substratum. Zooids are widely spaced. The lophophores are circular in outline in contrast to the U-shaped structures in other phylactolaemate families. Statoblasts are bean-like piptoblasts, lacking specialized structures for buoyancy or attachment. Each of the above features is considered primitive. A single genus, Fredericella, occurs worldwide. Thirteen species have been proposed, but only three are currently recognized, based on their statoblast morphology: Fredericella sultana, F. indica and F. australiensis.

Diagnosis

Colonies consist of narrow, branching tubules often growing outwards from the substratum. Zooids are widely spaced. The lophophores are circular in outline. Statoblasts are bean-like piptoblasts, lacking specialized structures for buoyancy or attachment.

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