Lophophorates are a group of marine animals characterized by a unique feeding structure called a lophophore, which is a crown of tentacles used for filter feeding. This group includes three main phyla: Bryozoa, Brachiopoda, and Phoronida. Lophophorates are primarily sessile, meaning they are usually attached to a substrate and do not move around. These organisms are found in various marine environments, from shallow coastal waters to deep-sea habitats. Lophophorates play an important role in the ecosystem by filtering water and contributing to the benthic community, which includes organisms living on the ocean floor.