HOLOSTOMATE Meaning and
Definition
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Holostomate is a term used in the field of paleontology to describe a particular type of fossil animal belonging to the phylum Bryozoa. The term is derived from the Greek words "holos," meaning whole or entire, and "stoma," meaning mouth.
Holostomate refers to those bryozoan colonies that possess a well-defined opening or aperture through which they feed. In these organisms, the mouth is located at the front of the colony and surrounded by a specialized structure called the "orifice," which may be tubular or have a more complex shape. This unique feature distinguishes holostomate bryozoans from other types of bryozoans.
The presence of a distinct orifice in holostomate colonies allows for efficient filter-feeding, as the opening serves as a passage through which the filtering apparatus can capture and process food particles from the surrounding water. The orifice is usually equipped with special feeding organs, such as tiny ciliated tentacles or lophophores, which trap small organic particles and plankton.
Holostomate bryozoans have a rich fossil record, with many species known from various geological strata. These fossils provide important insights into the evolutionary history and ecological relationships of these colonial organisms. By studying the morphology and distribution of holostomate bryozoans, researchers can gain a better understanding of past marine ecosystems, as well as track changes in environmental conditions over time.
Common Misspellings for HOLOSTOMATE
- golostomate
- bolostomate
- nolostomate
- jolostomate
- uolostomate
- yolostomate
- hilostomate
- hklostomate
- hllostomate
- hplostomate
- h0lostomate
- h9lostomate
- hokostomate
- hopostomate
- hooostomate
- holistomate
- holkstomate
- hollstomate
- holpstomate
Etymology of HOLOSTOMATE
The word "holostomate" is derived from two Greek roots: "holos", meaning "entire" or "whole", and "stoma", meaning "mouth". The combination of these roots in the word "holostomate" refers to a creature or organism that has a complete or fully-developed mouth.
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