Lophotrochozoa is one of the major groups within the animal kingdom. It comprises: segmented worms, mollusks (the phylum that includes snails, squid, octopuses, and clams) as well as lophophores, a group of animals that include clam-like organisms known brachiopods and bryozoans, sedentary colony animals sometimes referred to as “moss animals.”

Meet the Members of the Lophotrochozoan Division

• • Annelid (Platynereis dumerilii)
    
  • Rotifer (Brachionus manjavacas)
    
  • California Two-Spot Octopus (Octopus bimaculoides)
    
  • Longfin Squid (Doryteuthis pealeii)
    

Explore the Other Divisions

• • Ecdysozoan Division
  • Deuterostome Division
  • Non-Bilaterian Division
    

What is MBL March Madness?

Based on the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament, during MBL March Madness, popular MBL organisms face off for your votes. YOU have the opportunity to decide what organism is crowned victorious by voting for your favorite organisms in a series of head-to-head match-ups. Voting will take place on the MBL social media channels.

Learn more and download a bracket at mbl.edu/march-madness

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