TAXODONTA Meaning and
Definition
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Taxodonta is a biological term used to describe a subclass of extinct marine animals from the phylum Brachiopoda. Brachiopods are a group of marine invertebrates that possess a hard, bivalve shell enclosing their body. Taxodonta refers specifically to a subclass within this phylum, characterized by its unique shell morphology.
Members of the Taxodonta subclass have shells that are generally cone-shaped or rounded, displaying a distinctive pattern of radial ridges or ridges with fine striations. The shells are typically composed of calcium carbonate, which provides protection and structural integrity. These brachiopods attach themselves to the seafloor or other submerged substrates using a muscular pedicle, allowing them to remain fixed in place.
Taxodonta brachiopods existed during the Paleozoic era, with a fossil record dating back to the early Ordovician period through the Permian period, approximately 485 to 252 million years ago. They were widely distributed across various water depths, from shallow marine environments to deeper continental shelf or basin areas.
These ancient organisms were filter feeders, using a specialized tentacle-like structure called a lophophore to capture microscopic food particles in the water. Many species of Taxodonta brachiopods had an important role in Paleozoic marine ecosystems, serving as prey for other organisms and even forming extensive fossilized communities known as brachiopod banks.
Overall, Taxodonta represents a subclass of brachiopods with a unique shell structure, significant ecological importance during the Paleozoic era, and a rich fossil record that helps scientists study and understand ancient marine ecosystems.
Common Misspellings for TAXODONTA
- raxodonta
- faxodonta
- gaxodonta
- yaxodonta
- 6axodonta
- 5axodonta
- tzxodonta
- tsxodonta
- twxodonta
- tqxodonta
- tazodonta
- tacodonta
- tadodonta
- tasodonta
- taxidonta
- taxkdonta
- taxldonta
- taxpdonta
- tax0donta
- tax9donta
Etymology of TAXODONTA
The word "Taxodonta" is derived from Greek. "Taxo" (τάξο) means "arrange" or "put in order", and "donta" (δόντα) means "tooth". Thus, "Taxodonta" refers to organisms with arranged or ordered teeth.
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