How do lophophorates primarily obtain food?

Lophophorates primarily obtain food using their lophophores, which are specialized feeding structures characterized by a crown of ciliated tentacles. These tentacles create water currents and filter particles from the surrounding environment, allowing the organism to capture plankton and microscopic food particles efficiently. The cilia on the lophophore help in directing food towards the mouth, making this method of feeding highly effective for lophophorates such as brachiopods and bryozoans. The design of the lophophore is crucial for their feeding strategy, as it increases surface area and maximizes the capture of nutrients in their aquatic habitats.