Lancelet
Lancelet
Lancelet (pronunciation: /ˈlæns.lɪt/), also known as amphioxus (pronunciation: /æmˈfaɪ.ɒksəs/), is a small, eel-like marine animal that belongs to the subphylum Cephalochordata. The name "lancelet" derives from the creature's lance-like shape and diminutive size.
Etymology
The term "lancelet" comes from the Latin lancea, meaning "small lance", and the suffix -let, indicating a diminutive form. The term "amphioxus" is derived from the Greek amphi- (on both sides) and oxys (sharp), referring to the animal's sharp, pointed ends.
Description
Lancelets are characterized by their elongated, translucent bodies and their lack of a well-defined head. They possess a notochord, a flexible rod-like structure that extends the length of the body, which is a characteristic of the phylum Chordata to which they belong. Lancelets are filter feeders, extracting plankton and other microscopic organisms from the water through their gill slits.
Related Terms
- Notochord: A flexible rod-like structure found in the embryos of all chordates, including lancelets.
- Cephalochordata: A subphylum of chordates that includes lancelets.
- Chordata: The phylum of animals that includes lancelets, along with vertebrates and a few other groups.
- Filter feeder: An animal that feeds by straining suspended matter and food particles from water, which is a common method of feeding for lancelets.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lancelet
- Wikipedia's article - Lancelet
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