The word "Thoracica" is spelled with the letters t-h-o-r-a-c-i-c-a. It refers to a group of crustaceans that have a hardened shell covering their thorax. The pronunciation of "Thoracica" can be transcribed as /θəˈræsəkə/, with the stress on the second syllable "ra". It starts with the voiceless dental fricative /θ/, which is pronounced by placing the tip of the tongue behind the upper front teeth, blowing air out, and producing a soft hissing sound. The following syllables have short vowels and end with the schwa sound /ə/.
Thoracica is a taxonomic subclass within the class Maxillopoda, which includes several orders of crustaceans commonly known as barnacles. Members of this subclass are characterized by possessing a circulatory system located in the thorax, as well as a calcified, box-like shell that encloses their body. This shell, typically made of calcium carbonate, serves as a protective covering for the barnacle's soft tissues.
Barnacles belonging to the Thoracica subclass are sessile organisms, meaning that they permanently attach themselves to various substrates, such as rocks, shells, or even the hulls of ships. They are filter feeders, using their specialized appendages called cirri to capture plankton and suspended particles from the surrounding water.
The Thoracica subclass comprises several orders, including the Pedunculata, Sessilia, and Acrothoracica. The Pedunculata order includes large, stalked barnacles that attach themselves to surfaces using a flexible stalk or peduncle. In contrast, the Sessilia order consists of barnacles that directly attach themselves to substrates without a stalk. Finally, the Acrothoracica order consists of small, parasitic barnacles that dwell mainly on other crustaceans.
Due to their unique biological characteristics and ecological roles, barnacles classified under Thoracica are of interest to researchers in various fields, such as marine biology, ecology, and zoology.
The word "Thoracica" originates from the ancient Greek word "thorax", which means chest or breastplate. In Greek mythology, Thorax was also the name of a giant who was known for his strength. The suffix "-ica" is derived from the Latin word "icus", which means pertaining to. Therefore, "Thoracica" refers to something relating to the chest or breastplate. In the field of zoology, "Thoracica" specifically refers to a class of crustaceans, which have a hard, protective covering resembling a breastplate.