ROTIFERA Meaning and
Definition
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Rotifera is a phylum within the Animal Kingdom that comprises small, multicellular organisms commonly referred to as rotifers. These aquatic invertebrates are recognized for their unique characteristic of having a wheel-like arrangement of cilia called a corona that they use for locomotion and feeding. The word "rotifera" is derived from Latin roots, where "rot" means wheel, and "fera" refers to bearing or carrying.
Rotifers are mostly free-living and can be found in various freshwater habitats, although some species can also survive in marine environments and moist terrestrial areas. They range in size from just a few micrometers to a few millimeters, making them generally microscopic but visible to the naked eye. Despite their small size, rotifers have a complex body structure, consisting of an anterior head region with sensory organs and a muscular trunk region, which encloses a fluid-filled body cavity.
These resilient creatures possess a unique reproduction process, which can involve both sexual and asexual methods. Some rotifer species reproduce through parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction where unfertilized eggs develop into viable offspring. They are an important part of the aquatic food chain, serving as primary consumers and playing crucial roles in nutrient cycling and ecosystem stability.
With their fascinating biology and ecological significance, the study of rotifera holds a crucial place in the field of zoology, providing valuable insights into the diverse array of adaptations and strategies employed by organisms to survive in the natural world.
Common Misspellings for ROTIFERA
- eotifera
- dotifera
- fotifera
- totifera
- 5otifera
- 4otifera
- ritifera
- rktifera
- rltifera
- rptifera
- r0tifera
- r9tifera
- rofifera
- rogifera
- royifera
- ro6ifera
- ro5ifera
- rotufera
- rotjfera
Etymology of ROTIFERA
The word "Rotifera" comes from the Latin term "rota" meaning "wheel" and "fer" meaning "to bear" or "to carry". The name was coined by Carl Linnaeus, the renowned Swedish naturalist, in 1776. Linnaeus named the group "Rotifera" because he observed that these microscopic aquatic animals had structures called "corona" on their heads, which are composed of cilia that beat in a wheel-like motion. Hence, the name "Rotifera" refers to the characteristic wheel-bearing structures found in these animals.
Similar spelling words for ROTIFERA
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