What is "malacostegina"

Malacostegina is a sub-order of marine, colonial bryozoans in the order Cheilostomata. The structure of the individual zooids is generally simple, with an uncalcified, flexible frontal wall. This sub-order includes the earliest known cheilostome, in the genus Pyriporopsis ( Electridae).

The genus Christinella is currently incertae sedis within the Malacostegina.