CLASS OPHIUROIDEA Meaning and
Definition
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Class Ophiuroidea is a taxonomic class of echinoderms that belong to the phylum Echinodermata. They are commonly known as brittle stars or basket stars. These marine creatures are characterized by their distinctive star-shaped bodies, which consist of a central disk and long, slender arms that radiate out from the disk. Unlike other echinoderms, such as sea stars and sea urchins, brittle stars have a more flexible body structure, allowing them to move in a graceful, serpent-like manner.
Brittle stars are found in various marine habitats, ranging from shallow coastal waters to the deep ocean. They are known for their incredible diversity, with over 2,000 known species worldwide. The arms of brittle stars are highly flexible and covered in numerous small, movable spines, enabling them to reach out and grab onto surfaces or capture food particles from the water column.
These echinoderms are primarily scavengers or filter feeders, using their arms to gather organic matter or plankton from the surrounding water. Some species are also known to be predatory, capturing small invertebrates and particles using their long, flexible arms.
Class Ophiuroidea plays a significant ecological role in marine ecosystems. They are not only important prey items for various marine predators, but they also function as vital detritus processors and contribute to the cycling of nutrients within the marine environment. Additionally, some brittle stars have symbiotic relationships with other organisms, providing shelter and protection for small fishes and invertebrates.
Overall, Class Ophiuroidea represents a diverse and intriguing group of echinoderms that are well adapted to a wide range of marine environments.
Common Misspellings for CLASS OPHIUROIDEA
- xlass ophiuroidea
- vlass ophiuroidea
- flass ophiuroidea
- dlass ophiuroidea
- ckass ophiuroidea
- cpass ophiuroidea
- coass ophiuroidea
- clzss ophiuroidea
- clsss ophiuroidea
- clwss ophiuroidea
- clqss ophiuroidea
- claas ophiuroidea
- clazs ophiuroidea
- claxs ophiuroidea
- clads ophiuroidea
- claes ophiuroidea
- claws ophiuroidea
- clasa ophiuroidea
- clasz ophiuroidea
Etymology of CLASS OPHIUROIDEA
The word Class Ophiuroidea comes from Greek roots. Class is derived from the Greek word klasis, which means a dividing or a class. Ophiuroidea is a combination of two Greek words: ophis, meaning serpent, and eidos, meaning form or appearance. Ophiuroidea refers to a class of echinoderms known as brittle stars, which have long, serpent-like arms. Hence, Class Ophiuroidea can be translated as the class with the appearance of serpent.
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