ATELOSTOMATA Meaning and
Definition
-
Atelostomata refers to a taxonomic group within the class Echinoidea, which comprises sea urchins commonly known as "sand dollars." The term is derived from the Greek words "atelo" meaning "incomplete" and "stoma" meaning "mouth," indicating a characteristic feature of this group.
Members of the Atelostomata possess a flattened, disk-shaped body with a distinct five-pointed symmetry, much like other sea urchins. However, what sets them apart is the lack of a fully developed mouth that is generally observed in other echinoid species. Instead, Atelostomata have evolved a specialized feeding structure known as a "lantern" or "Aristotle's lantern." This modified jaw apparatus allows them to scrape and rasp algal matter or other organic material off rocky surfaces or sandy substrates, which constitutes their primary diet.
Furthermore, Atelostomata have a distinct internal structure featuring delicate, irregularly arranged calcareous ossicles. These ossicles form a framework that supports the sand dollar's body and provides rigidity and protection. The group typically exhibits a secondary bilateral symmetry and a characteristic radial pattern in their fine external skeletal plates, which vary in shape and size.
Due to their unique morphology and feeding adaptations, Atelostomata play an important ecological role as filter feeders and benthic grazers, influencing the dynamics of marine ecosystems. They are widely distributed in temperate and tropical oceans, inhabiting shallow coastal areas, bays, and estuaries.
Common Misspellings for ATELOSTOMATA
- atelostoma
- Ateleostomata
- Acelistomata
- Atellostomata
- Atelosomata
- Atelostomataa
- Atelistomata
- Atelosstomata
Etymology of ATELOSTOMATA
The word "Atelostomata" is derived from two Greek terms: "atelos" (ἄτελος) and "stoma" (στόμα).
- "Atelos" (ἄτελος) means "imperfect" or "incomplete" in Greek.
- "Stoma" (στόμα) means "mouth" in Greek.
When combined, "Atelostomata" refers to a biological class of marine animals, specifically bryozoans, that have an incomplete or imperfect mouth structure. This term was coined by the German zoologist Hinrich Nitsche in 1871 to classify a group of bryozoans that exhibit this particular characteristic.
