GYMNOSTOMINA Meaning and
Definition
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Gymnostomina refers to a taxonomic subclass within the phylum Bryozoa, which consists of aquatic invertebrate animals commonly known as moss animals or sea mat corals. The term Gymnostomina is derived from the Greek words "gymnos" meaning naked and "stoma" meaning mouth, indicating the characteristic of having a mouth without any covering or specialized structures.
Members of the Gymnostomina subclass are primarily marine organisms, although some species can also be found in freshwater habitats. They are sessile filter feeders that typically form colonial colonies attached to various substrates such as rocks, shells, or submerged vegetation. The colonies are composed of numerous genetically identical individuals called zooids.
The zooids in Gymnostomina colonies have a distinct anatomy consisting of a feeding orifice (the gymnostome), which lacks any form of protective covering, and a tentacle-bearing lophophore. The lophophore is a specialized structure that surrounds the gymnostome and is responsible for capturing food particles from the surrounding water.
Gymnostomina species exhibit a wide range of morphological variations, including variations in colony shape, size, and the number and arrangement of zooids. They play significant ecological roles as filter feeders, contributing to the nutrient cycling and trophic dynamics of aquatic ecosystems.
Overall, Gymnostomina is a taxonomic classification that represents a diverse group of marine bryozoans characterized by their naked mouths and colonial growth form.
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A suborder of Holotrichida in which there is no undulating membrane about the mouth opening.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GYMNOSTOMINA
- fymnostomina
- vymnostomina
- bymnostomina
- hymnostomina
- yymnostomina
- tymnostomina
- gtmnostomina
- ggmnostomina
- ghmnostomina
- gumnostomina
- g7mnostomina
- g6mnostomina
- gynnostomina
- gyknostomina
- gyjnostomina
- gymbostomina
- gymmostomina
- gymjostomina
- gymhostomina
- gymnistomina
Etymology of GYMNOSTOMINA
The word "Gymnostomina" does not have a widely acknowledged etymology as it appears to be a scientific term specific to a particular taxonomic group. However, breaking down the word into its components, "gymno-" is derived from the Greek word "gymnos", meaning "naked" or "bare". The suffix "-stomina" is likely derived from the Greek word "stoma", meaning "mouth". Therefore, the term "Gymnostomina" could potentially describe an organism or group with a "naked mouth" or an uncovered oral structure.
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