PLANULAE Meaning and
Definition
-
Planulae, plural form of planula, refers to small, larvae-like structures found in certain cnidarians, particularly in the phylum Cnidaria. These organisms include jellyfish, sea anemones, and corals. The planula stage is a significant part of the life cycle of these animals.
A planula is a free-swimming, transparent, and usually ciliated, tube-like or oval-shaped organism, often with a bilateral symmetry. It is usually produced through a process called asexual reproduction, specifically by the budding off of polyps or medusae. The planulae are typically released into the surrounding water, where they drift and disperse before undergoing further development.
During this stage, planulae are highly mobile and have the capacity to settle and attach to suitable substrates, such as rocks or coral reefs. Once settled, they undergo metamorphosis, transforming into either a polyp or a sessile adult form, depending on the species. This metamorphosis marks the transition from the planula larva to the next stage in the life cycle of these organisms.
Planulae play a crucial role in the reproduction and dispersal of cnidarians, as they allow for the colonization of new areas and the establishment of new populations. They also serve as a means of increasing genetic diversity within species. Additionally, the planula stage is regarded as an essential adaptation for survival in various aquatic environments.
Common Misspellings for PLANULAE
- -planula
- planulas
- olanulae
- llanulae
- -lanulae
- 0lanulae
- pkanulae
- ppanulae
- poanulae
- plznulae
- plsnulae
- plwnulae
- plqnulae
- plabulae
- plamulae
- plajulae
- plahulae
- planylae
- planhlae
- planjlae
Etymology of PLANULAE
The word "planulae" comes from the Latin term "planula", which means "little plane". In zoology, a planula refers to the larval form of various cnidarians, including jellyfish, coral, and sea anemones. The term planula was coined due to the flattened or disc-like shape of the larvae, resembling a small plane or disk. The plural form "planulae" is derived by adding the Latin suffix "-ae", denoting pluralization.
Similar spelling words for PLANULAE
- palinal,
- pleonal,
- blenal,
- balaenella,
- Plenal,
- Bolanile,
- plainly,
- belinelli,
- baillonnella,
- paulinella,
- buluniella,
- pollinial,
- balaenula,
- PLONL,
- plenel,
- planula,
- plainlier,
- planly,
- Balneal.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
