A lophophore is a specialized feeding structure found in certain aquatic animals, primarily in the phyla Bryozoa and Brachiopoda. It consists of a crown of tentacle-like structures that are lined with cilia, which help capture food particles from the water. The lophophore plays a crucial role in the animal's feeding and respiration. These animals use the lophophore to filter plankton and other small organisms from the water. When the cilia beat, they create water currents that draw food towards the mouth, allowing for efficient feeding. The presence of a lophophore is a key characteristic that helps scientists classify these organisms.