How Do You Spell ECHINOIDS?

Pronunciation: [ˈɛt͡ʃɪnˌɔ͡ɪdz] (IPA)

Echinoids refers to a class of marine animals, including sea urchins and sand dollars. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): /ɛkɪnɔɪdz/ (ek-uh-noydz). The first syllable, "echi-", is pronounced with a short e sound and a hard "k" sound, while the "-noid" ending rhymes with "void." The letter combination "ch" can be tricky, as it can sometimes be pronounced with a "sh" sound, but in this case, it is pronounced as a hard "k."

ECHINOIDS Meaning and Definition

1. Echinoids, also known as sea urchins, are a group of marine animals belonging to the phylum Echinodermata. They are characterized by a globular, spiny body structure and a radial symmetry. Echinoids can be found in various marine habitats worldwide, ranging from shallow coastal waters to deep ocean trenches.

   The external appearance of echinoids is dominated by their hard, round skeleton formed by interlocking plates called ossicles. These ossicles are covered by a layer of movable spines, which serve as a defense mechanism against predators and also aid in locomotion. Additionally, a few species possess long, poisonous spines that provide protection against larger predators.

   Echinoids possess a specialized water vascular system, which helps in various functions including movement, respiration, and feeding. They have a mouth located on the lower side of their body and a complex feeding apparatus called Aristotle's Lantern. This structure is composed of interlocking teeth that can be protruded to scrape algae and other organic material from rocks or other surfaces.

   Echinoids are mostly herbivorous, feeding on algae, seagrasses, and other organic matter present in their environment. However, some species are omnivorous or carnivorous, preying on smaller invertebrates or detritus.

   Echinoids play a crucial role in marine ecosystems as they help maintain the health and diversity of benthic communities. They are also utilized in various scientific studies due to their evolutionary significance and ecological importance.

Common Misspellings for ECHINOIDS

• echinoide
• echinod
• echinnoid
• echinnoides
• echinioids
• echiinoids
• echinieds

Etymology of ECHINOIDS

The word "echinoids" comes from the Greek word "ekhinos", which means hedgehog or sea urchin. In ancient Greek, the term was used to describe the spiny or prickly nature of the creature, similar to a hedgehog. Over time, it came to specifically refer to the class of marine animals known as echinoids, which includes sea urchins and sand dollars.