CYTHERIDAE Meaning and
Definition
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Cytheridae is a family of small to medium-sized marine and freshwater bivalve crustaceans, commonly known as ostracods or seed shrimps. They belong to the class Ostracoda, which comprises a diverse group of small, mainly aquatic organisms with a calcified bivalve carapace.
Members of the Cytheridae family have a distinctly elongated and asymmetrical shell that is typically curved. These creatures are characterized by their two-valved carapace, which they use to protect their body. Within the family, there is considerable variability in the shell form, ornamentation, and overall body size, with some species reaching only a few millimeters in length.
Cytheridae can be found in various aquatic ecosystems such as lakes, ponds, rivers, estuaries, and coastal areas. They dwell in sediments, where they feed on organic matter or smaller organisms using their appendages. These organisms play an important role in the ecosystems they inhabit, contributing to nutrient cycling and serving as a food source for other organisms.
These ostracods are often used as bioindicators, as their presence or absence can provide valuable information about the environmental conditions of a particular water body. They are also of interest to paleontologists, as their fossils can provide insights into ancient environments and climate change.
In summary, Cytheridae are a diverse family of bivalve crustaceans with an elongated and curved shell. They live in various aquatic environments and play important ecological roles. Their fossils are valuable for understanding past ecosystems, and their presence can indicate the health of aquatic habitats.
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In geol., a family of minute bivalve crustaceans.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for CYTHERIDAE
- xytheridae
- vytheridae
- fytheridae
- dytheridae
- cttheridae
- cgtheridae
- chtheridae
- cutheridae
- c7theridae
- c6theridae
- cyrheridae
- cyfheridae
- cygheridae
- cyyheridae
- cy6heridae
- cy5heridae
- cytgeridae
- cytberidae
- cytneridae
- cytjeridae
Etymology of CYTHERIDAE
The word "Cytheridae" is derived from the Greek word "Kýthēra", which refers to the island of Kythera in Greece. In Greek mythology, Kythera was the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite, who is associated with love, beauty, and desire. "Cytheridae" is the plural form of "Cytherid", which is a member of the family Cytheridae. The name "Cytherid" was given to these organisms because they were initially discovered and described on the island of Kythera.
