SPATANGIDAE Meaning and
Definition
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Spatangidae is a scientific term that refers to a family of marine echinoderms, specifically sea urchins, belonging to the order Spatangoida. This family consists of various species of sea urchins characterized by their distinctive, somewhat elongated and oval-shaped bodies. They are commonly found in oceanic depths, buried within sandy or muddy substrates, and are known for their ability to efficiently move through and manipulate these sediments, thanks to their specialized tube feet.
The members of the Spatangidae family possess numerous unique anatomical features. They have a flattened, elongated test (the hard outer skeleton or exoskeleton), with a more rounded anterior end and a narrower posterior end. Typically, they exhibit five ambulacra, a series of closely spaced tube feet that extend from their oral (mouth) to aboral (opposite the mouth) regions.
Spatangidae sea urchins usually have well-developed feeding apparatuses, including specialized mouthparts such as teeth and jaws to scrape and ingest organic matter from the sediment. They are primarily detritivores, feeding on decaying plant and animal material within the substrate.
In terms of reproduction, most species within the Spatangidae family have separate sexes, with males and females releasing their gametes (eggs and sperm) into the water during breeding seasons. Fertilization is external, and the larvae, called pluteus, undergo a complete metamorphosis before becoming fully functional adults.
Overall, the Spatangidae family encompasses a diverse group of sea urchins with unique adaptations and ecological roles within marine environments.
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In geol., a tribe of fossil echinites or sea-urchins peculiar to the chalk and greensand.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for SPATANGIDAE
- spatangida
- spatangid
- spatangidea
- apatangidae
- zpatangidae
- xpatangidae
- dpatangidae
- epatangidae
- wpatangidae
- soatangidae
- slatangidae
- s-atangidae
- s0atangidae
- spztangidae
- spstangidae
- spwtangidae
- spqtangidae
- sparangidae
- spafangidae
- spagangidae
Etymology of SPATANGIDAE
The word "Spatangidae" is derived from the combination of two elements: "spatang-" and "-idae".
The first part, "spatang-", comes from the Greek word "spátangos" (σπάταγγος) which means "shellfish". This term specifically refers to a type of sea urchin with a thin oval or heart-shaped shell, which is characteristic of the Spatangidae family.
The second part, "-idae", is a suffix used in taxonomy, specifically for naming families in the classification of organisms. In biological classification, families are groups that contain multiple related species.
Combining these two elements, "Spatangidae" refers to the family of sea urchins known as spatangids, which are characterized by their specific shell shape.
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