OPHIURID Meaning and
Definition
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An Ophiurid is a type of marine invertebrate belonging to the class Ophiuroidea, which is a subset of the phylum Echinodermata. Ophiurids are commonly known as brittle stars or serpent stars due to their long, slender arms that resemble snake or serpent-like appendages. They are characterized by their pentaradial symmetry, meaning their bodies have five parts or multiples of five, similar to other echinoderms such as starfish and sea urchins.
These creatures are found in oceans across the world, inhabiting various depths and habitats, from shallow coastal areas to deep-sea environments. Ophiurids typically have a central, disc-shaped body from which five long, flexible arms radiate. These arms are covered in tiny, jointed segments, allowing them to move and coordinate their actions. Unlike their close relatives, the starfish, ophiurids lack suckers on their tube feet and generally rely on their arms for locomotion and prey capture.
Ophiurids are known for their remarkable ability to regenerate lost body parts, including entire arms. They mostly feed on organic matter, plankton, and detritus present in the water column, using their flexible arms to gather food particles and bring them to their mouths.
Brittle stars play essential roles in marine ecosystems as both predators and prey. They contribute to nutrient recycling by scavenging on detritus and help maintain the health of coral reefs and seafloors. Ophiurids have also become popular subjects of scientific research, offering valuable insights into developmental biology, evolutionary mechanisms, and ecological functions within marine environments.
Common Misspellings for OPHIURID
- iphiurid
- kphiurid
- lphiurid
- pphiurid
- 0phiurid
- 9phiurid
- oohiurid
- olhiurid
- o-hiurid
- o0hiurid
- opgiurid
- opbiurid
- opniurid
- opjiurid
- opuiurid
- opyiurid
- ophuurid
- ophjurid
- ophkurid
- ophourid
Etymology of OPHIURID
The word "Ophiurid" is derived from the Greek roots "ophis" meaning "snake" or "serpent" and "oura" meaning "tail". These elements come together to refer to the long, snake-like arms that are characteristic of this group of echinoderms.
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