OPHIUROIDEA Meaning and
Definition
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Ophiuroidea is a class of marine animals commonly known as brittle stars or basket stars. They are part of the phylum Echinodermata, which also includes sea stars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. Ophiuroidea is one of the largest classes within the phylum, comprising about 2,000 known species.
Brittle stars are characterized by a distinct body structure that is long and slender, resembling a starfish but with more flexible arms. These arms, known as rays, radiate from a central disk that houses the digestive system and other vital organs. The rays are typically highly articulate, enabling the brittle stars to exhibit efficient and continuous locomotion.
Ophiuroidea is primarily a marine organism, inhabiting various depths of oceans and seas worldwide. They are found in a wide range of habitats, from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea. Brittle stars are typically bottom-dwelling creatures, often residing in crevices or in the sediment, but some species can also be found crawling on surfaces or even swimming in open water.
These echinoderms are generally scavengers or predators, feeding on a variety of organisms such as small invertebrates, detritus, and even other brittle stars. They possess a unique feeding mechanism called suspension feeding, in which they extend their arms to capture food particles from the water column.
Ophiuroidea plays an important role in marine ecosystems as they contribute to the nutrient recycling process and serve as a food source for other organisms. Despite their ecological significance, much about brittle stars remains unknown due to the challenges of studying them in their natural habitat, particularly in deeper waters.
Common Misspellings for OPHIUROIDEA
- iphiuroidea
- kphiuroidea
- lphiuroidea
- pphiuroidea
- 0phiuroidea
- 9phiuroidea
- oohiuroidea
- olhiuroidea
- o-hiuroidea
- o0hiuroidea
- opgiuroidea
- opbiuroidea
- opniuroidea
- opjiuroidea
- opuiuroidea
- opyiuroidea
- ophuuroidea
- ophjuroidea
- ophkuroidea
Etymology of OPHIUROIDEA
The word "Ophiuroidea" has Greek origins. It is derived from the Greek words "Οφις" (Ophis) meaning "snake" or "serpent", and "ουρα" (oura) meaning "tail", referring to the long, snake-like arms or "rays" of these marine animals. Ophiuroidea is the scientific class name for the group of animals commonly known as brittle stars or basket stars, which belong to the phylum Echinodermata.
Similar spelling word for OPHIUROIDEA
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