SUBCLASS EURYALIDA Meaning and
Definition
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Subclass Euryalida refers to a taxonomic subdivision within the class Ophiuroidea, which encompasses a diverse group of marine organisms commonly known as brittle stars or basket stars. Euryalida belongs to the phylum Echinodermata, which also includes sea stars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers.
Members of the Subclass Euryalida are characterized by their long, slender arms that radiate from a central disc-like body. These arms are often highly branched and may exhibit an intricate network of skeletal elements called ossicles, providing flexibility and mobility. Euryalids possess a well-developed skeletal system consisting of calcite ossicles, which can vary in size, shape, and arrangement among different species.
Brittle stars within this subclass are predominantly found in marine environments, ranging from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea. They exhibit a wide distribution and can be found in various habitats, including rocky reefs, sandy bottoms, and coral reefs. Euryalids are primarily scavengers or filter feeders, relying on their tube feet and specialized appendages called podia to capture food particles or organic matter from the surrounding water.
The reproductive process in Euryalida typically involves external fertilization, with separate sexes in most species. Females release eggs into the water column, where they are fertilized by sperm released by male individuals. The resulting larvae undergo a complex metamorphosis before settling on the sea floor and transforming into the adult brittle star form.
Overall, Subclass Euryalida comprises a diverse group of brittle stars with unique ecological adaptations and remarkable evolutionary features, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of marine ecosystems worldwide.
Common Misspellings for SUBCLASS EURYALIDA
- aubclass euryalida
- zubclass euryalida
- xubclass euryalida
- dubclass euryalida
- eubclass euryalida
- wubclass euryalida
- sybclass euryalida
- shbclass euryalida
- sjbclass euryalida
- sibclass euryalida
- s8bclass euryalida
- s7bclass euryalida
- suvclass euryalida
- sunclass euryalida
- suhclass euryalida
- sugclass euryalida
- subxlass euryalida
- subvlass euryalida
- subflass euryalida
Etymology of SUBCLASS EURYALIDA
The word "Subclass Euryalida" has a Greek etymology.
The term "subclass" comes from the Ancient Greek word "subklasis" meaning "a falling away" or "a deviation", which later evolved to mean "a class subordinate to another class". In taxonomy, subclass is a rank or category below a class and above an order.
The word "Euryalida" is derived from the Greek word "euryalos" which means "wide-combed" or "spatula-shaped", and it is combined with the suffix "-ida", which is used in taxonomy to indicate a class or category. Euryalida is a subclass of marine animals known as brittle stars, which have long and slender arms resembling a wide comb or spatula shape.
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