NAUTILIDAE Meaning and
Definition
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Nautilidae is a taxonomic family of marine cephalopods that are commonly known as nautiluses. It is a subclass within the phylum Mollusca, characterized by a soft body encompassed by a spiral-shaped, chambered shell. Nautiluses are the only remaining members of the subclass Nautiloidea, which once included a diverse range of cephalopods, many of which were extinct.
The shells belonging to the Nautilidae family are unique in the sense that they are coiled in a planispiral manner, divided into multiple compartments through septa. These chambers are connected by a narrow tube called a siphuncle, which enables the nautiluses to control their buoyancy by adding or removing gas and fluid from the chambers. The living animal resides in the outermost chamber, while the inner chambers provide buoyancy and protection.
Nautiluses are ancient creatures that date back over 500 million years, making them one of the oldest surviving groups of organisms on Earth. They have fossil records dating back to the Late Cambrian period. Nautilidae species are typically found in the deep waters of the Indo-Pacific region, living at depths ranging from 50 to 600 meters.
Nautiluses have a unique hunting mechanism, using a set of tentacles to capture prey such as small fish and crustaceans. They are considered primitive cephalopods as they lack the sophisticated methods of communication and behavior displayed by their more evolved relatives, such as squids and octopuses.
Due to their extraordinary and ancient nature, nautiluses are of scientific interest and also hold cultural significance. They are often featured in artwork and have become icons of evolution and the ocean's wonders. Unfortunately, certain species of nautiluses face
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A family of sea-fish, generally having shells, of which the nautilus has been taken as the type.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for NAUTILIDAE
- bautilidae
- mautilidae
- jautilidae
- hautilidae
- nzutilidae
- nsutilidae
- nwutilidae
- nqutilidae
- naytilidae
- nahtilidae
- najtilidae
- naitilidae
- na8tilidae
- na7tilidae
- naurilidae
- naufilidae
- naugilidae
- nauyilidae
- nau6ilidae
Etymology of NAUTILIDAE
The word "Nautilidae" is derived from the scientific name of the nautilus, a marine mollusk belonging to the family Nautilidae. The family name itself comes from the Latin word "Nautilus", which was borrowed from the Greek word "nautilos". In Greek, "nautilos" referred to both the nautilus and a type of marine cephalopod. The origin of the Greek word is uncertain, but it might be related to "naus", meaning "ship", because of the shell's ship-like appearance.
Similar spelling word for NAUTILIDAE
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