ANTHOZOA Meaning and
Definition
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Anthozoa is a taxonomic class of marine organisms belonging to the phylum Cnidaria, which comprises the largest group of coral species. These organisms are commonly known as corals and are characterized by their calcium carbonate skeletons and polyp morphology. Anthozoa is derived from the Greek words "anthos," meaning flower, and "zoa," meaning animals, reflecting the flower-like appearance of their polyps when fully expanded.
Corals within the class Anthozoa are exclusively sessile, meaning they are attached to a substrate and do not move freely. They can be found in a wide variety of marine habitats, including the shallow waters of tropical and subtropical oceans, as well as in deeper zones. Anthozoans are predominantly colonial, where numerous individual polyps join together to form a larger structure known as a coral colony. This collaborative effort allows them to build intricate and diverse coral reef ecosystems.
Anthozoans rely on mutualistic symbiosis with photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae, which live within their tissues. The algae provide corals with essential nutrients through photosynthesis, while corals offer protection and a stable environment for their algal partners. Additionally, anthozoans possess specialized stinging cells called cnidocytes, which they employ for capturing prey and defending against potential threats.
Although some coral species within Anthozoa have the ability to extensively calcify and build massive coral reefs, others may have reduced skeletal elements or lack them entirely. This variability accounts for the diverse range of coral morphologies found within the class Anthozoa.
Common Misspellings for ANTHOZOA
- znthozoa
- snthozoa
- wnthozoa
- qnthozoa
- abthozoa
- amthozoa
- ajthozoa
- ahthozoa
- anrhozoa
- anfhozoa
- anghozoa
- anyhozoa
- an6hozoa
- an5hozoa
- antgozoa
- antbozoa
- antnozoa
- antjozoa
- antuozoa
- nathozoa
Etymology of ANTHOZOA
The word "Anthozoa" is derived from two Greek roots: "anthos" meaning "flower" and "zoa" meaning "animals". Therefore, "Anthozoa" can be translated to "flower animal" or "animal flower". This name was given to this class of marine invertebrates because they have a flower-like appearance due to their numerous tentacles surrounding their mouth.
Similar spelling words for ANTHOZOA
- Unethes,
- anatoxin,
- inthisway,
- Ionthus,
- anthozoan,
- unthaws,
- augnathus,
- onths,
- anthus,
- entheous,
- uneathes,
- anaethesia,
- over-enthuse,
- anthes,
- Onthus,
- anthos,
- Unnethes,
- enthuse,
- Anthis.
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