The life of the freshwater bryozoan Stephanella hina (Bryozoa, Phylactolaemata)-a crucial key to elucidating bryozoan evolution.

These observations indicate that S. hina is unique among Phylactolaemata and support the notion that bryozoans evolved from worm-like ancestors. In addition, we raise several arguments for its placement into a separate family, Stephanellidae, rather than among the Plumatellidae, as previously suggested.