APLACOPHORAN Meaning and
Definition
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Aplacophorans are a group of small marine mollusks belonging to the phylum Aplacophora. They are also known as solenogasters. Aplacophorans are characterized by their soft, worm-like bodies, absence of a shell, and lack of a foot. They typically have a slim, elongated body covered with calcareous spicules or scales, which provide support and protection. Their bodies are typically divided into a head, trunk, and foot-like structure called a "sole."
Aplacophorans inhabit a wide range of marine environments, including deep-sea trenches, hydrothermal vents, and cold-water habitats. They are found predominantly in the soft sediments of the ocean floor, where they burrow and feed on microscopic particles and detritus.
Due to their simple body structure and absence of a shell, aplacophorans are often considered to be one of the most primitive groups of mollusks. They are believed to have evolved from snail-like ancestors, with the loss of the shell being an adaptation to their burrowing lifestyle.
There are around 320 known species of aplacophorans, with new species still being discovered. They play vital roles in marine ecosystems, contributing to nutrient recycling and serving as prey for other organisms. However, their ecological significance and exact evolutionary relationships within the mollusk group are still subjects of ongoing scientific study.
Common Misspellings for APLACOPHORAN
- zplacophoran
- splacophoran
- wplacophoran
- qplacophoran
- aolacophoran
- allacophoran
- a-lacophoran
- a0lacophoran
- apkacophoran
- appacophoran
- apoacophoran
- aplzcophoran
- aplscophoran
- aplwcophoran
- aplqcophoran
- aplaxophoran
- aplavophoran
- aplafophoran
- apladophoran
Etymology of APLACOPHORAN
The word "aplacophoran" has its roots in Greek. It is derived from two Greek words: "a-" meaning "without" or "not", and "plakos" meaning "plate" or "tablet", and "-phorus" meaning "bearing" or "carrying".
Thus, when combined, "aplacophoran" literally means "not bearing plates" or "without plates". This term is used in biology to refer to a group of marine mollusks that lack the distinct shell plates found in other mollusk groups like the snails or clams. These aplacophorans have a soft, worm-like body.
Similar spelling words for APLACOPHORAN
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