Family PLUMATELLIDAE Allman, 1856

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Introduction

With more species than all other families combined, Plumatellidae includes all tubular bryozoans capable of forming buoyant statoblasts (floatoblasts). Tubules range from entirely recumbent and spreading to upright, crowded or even fused. The U-shaped lophophores bear 20 to 80 tentacles. Floatoblasts are relatively small and numerous. Genera include Plumatella, Hyalinella, Internectella, Stolella, Afrindella, and Varunella, although the features distinguishing all of these are poorly defined. Worldwide, over forty species are currently recognized, of which seven are known or suspected from Australia.

Diagnosis

Plumatellidae includes all tubular bryozoans capable of forming buoyant statoblasts (floatoblasts). Tubules range from entirely recumbent and spreading to upright, crowded or even fused. The U-shaped lophophores bear 20 to 80 tentacles. Floatoblasts are relatively small and numerous

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