The mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences of 40 species of cheilostome bryozoans including those of 24 species newly determined were used to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree using neighboring-joining and maximum-parsimony methods. By applying molecular clock technique on the basis of the appropriate phylogeny and the fossil record, the divergence times of the two main cheilostome groups, Anasca and Ascophora sensu stricto, were estimated. The results show that the molecular phylogeny of the higher taxonomic groups (superfamilies and higher taxa) of cheilostome bryozoans is mostly in conflict with the morphology-based phylogenetic trees; the divergence of the extant groups of Anasca and those of Ascophora sensu stricto is estimated to have happened about 263 Ma (Permian Guadalupian Epoch) and 183 Ma (Early Jurassic), respectively.