TEREBRATELLA Meaning and
Definition
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Terebratella, commonly known as the lamp shell or brachiopod, is a genus of marine invertebrates belonging to the family Terebratellidae. They are small organisms that resemble clams or bivalves but are taxonomically distinct from them.
Terebratella species are characterized by their unique, bivalve-like shells, which vary in size, shape, and color across different species. The shells consist of two valves - a larger ventral valve and a smaller dorsal valve - that are hinged together at one end. These valves enclose and protect the soft body parts of the organism.
These brachiopods are filter feeders, using a specialized organ called a lophophore to extract food from the surrounding water. The lophophore is a horseshoe-shaped structure lined with tentacles that have tiny, hair-like structures called cilia. The cilia create water currents that bring in planktonic food particles into the lophophore, where they are captured and consumed.
Terebratella species can be found in various marine habitats, including shallow waters and deep-sea environments. They are generally attached to hard substrates such as rocks, coral reefs, or shells, using a structure called a pedicle, which extends from the ventral valve and anchors the organism to the substrate.
These lamp shells have existed for millions of years and have a rich fossil record. They are considered to be living fossils, as their body plan and ecological niche have remained largely unchanged for over 400 million years, making them an important group of organisms for evolutionary and paleontological studies.
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A genus of brachiopods resembling terebratula, found fossil and existing.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for TEREBRATELLA
- Terebratela
- rerebratella
- ferebratella
- gerebratella
- yerebratella
- 6erebratella
- 5erebratella
- twrebratella
- tsrebratella
- tdrebratella
- trrebratella
- t4rebratella
- t3rebratella
- teeebratella
- tedebratella
- tefebratella
- tetebratella
- te5ebratella
- te4ebratella
- terwbratella
Etymology of TEREBRATELLA
The word "terebratella" comes from the Latin term "terebrātellum", which is a diminutive of "terebrā". "Terebrā" means "a small boring tool" or "to bore" in Latin. The suffix "-ella" is added to indicate a diminutive form, thus creating "terebrātellum", meaning "a small borer". Over time, "terebrātellum" transformed into "terebratella" in scientific taxonomy.
Terebratella is also the genus name for a group of marine brachiopod invertebrates, popularly known as lampshells. These creatures have a hard shell, resembling a bivalve mollusk, and bear tube-like structures known as pedicles that they use to anchor themselves to the seabed.
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