Taxonomy
Dark brown statoblasts retained inside branches.
Fredericella sultana colonies produce attached and upright branches.
The lophophore is circular, with 16-28 tentacles.
The diagnostic statoblasts (dormant stages) are retained within colony branches and are kidney-shaped, smooth and dark brown when mature (Wood and Okamura, 2005).
Diagnostic description
The statoblast shape and form (absence of float or annulus) distinguish Fredericella sultana from other bryozoans
Lookalikes
Fredericella sultana can be confused with Fredericella indica.
Distinguishing the two species requires careful examination of the surface of the dried statoblast: in Fredericella sultana the statoblast is smooth, in Fredericella indica it is pitted.