How Do You Spell ZOANTHARIA?

Pronunciation: [zə͡ʊnθˈe͡əɹi͡ə] (IPA)

Zoantharia is a word used to describe a subclass of coral species. The spelling of "Zoantharia" is based on the Greek words for "animal" (zoon) and "flower" (anthos). In IPA phonetic transcription, "Zoantharia" is pronounced [zoʊ.ænˈθæ.ri.ə]. The "zo" sound is pronounced like the "z" in "zoo," the "an" sounds like the "an" in "pan," and the "th" sounds like the "th" in "thin." The "ia" at the end of the word is pronounced like the "ya" in "yacht."

ZOANTHARIA Meaning and Definition

1. Zoantharia, also known as Zoanthids, is a subclass of marine animals belonging to the phylum Cnidaria. They are colonial sessile organisms that form intricate, colorful colonies resembling flowers or carpets. These colonies are made up of individual polyps, which are small, cylindrical, and tube-like in shape.

   Each individual polyp in the Zoantharia colony has a mouth surrounded by a ring of tentacles, which are equipped with specialized stinging cells called nematocysts. These nematocysts allow them to capture and immobilize small prey, such as plankton and other microscopic organisms, which are then digested.

   Zoantharia can be found in a wide range of marine habitats, from shallow tropical waters to deep-sea environments. They are often found attached to hard substrates like rocks, coral reefs, shells, or even shipwrecks.

   One distinctive feature of Zoantharia is their symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae known as zooxanthellae. These algae live inside the tissues of the polyps and provide them with nutrients and oxygen through photosynthesis. In return, the Zoantharia provide a protected environment and access to sunlight for the algae.

   Zoantharia colonies come in various colors and patterns and are highly sought after by aquarium enthusiasts due to their vibrant appearance. However, it is important to note that some species of Zoanthids can produce potent toxins that are harmful to humans and other animals, so caution must be exercised when handling or keeping them in captivity.

Common Misspellings for ZOANTHARIA

• zoanthawria

Etymology of ZOANTHARIA

The word "Zoantharia" is derived from Greek roots. "Zoan" comes from the Greek word "zoon", meaning "animal", and "tharia" is derived from "thoros", meaning "leather". Therefore, "Zoantharia" translates to "animal-leather", referring to the soft and fleshy nature of these animals, which include a group of marine organisms known as the order Zoantharia or Zoanthidae.

Similar spelling words for ZOANTHARIA

• xanthorrhoea,
• xanthoria,
• xanthiuria,
• xanthoura,
• xanthura,
• Xanthorhoea,
• santhara,
• xanthuria,
• xanthorroea.

Plural form of ZOANTHARIA is ZOANTHARIAE