How can predation cause some bryozoans to grow armored or spined zooids?

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Eurystomella bilabiata, a moss animal from the Order Cheilostomata. — moss animal *Eurystomella bilabiata*, a moss animal from the Order Cheilostomata.

Some bryozoan species possess the ability to alter the physical form of newly generated zooids through a process known as phenotypic plasticity. When these organisms detect environmental cues associated with increased predation or competition, they can trigger the expression of different genetic characters.

As a result, the colony may produce zooids with armored or spined outer coverings, which serve as a defensive response to these external pressures.1