Definition

Noun: A small, deep-sea cephalopod mollusk, the sole living species of the genus Spirula. It is characterized by its distinctive internal, many-chambered, coiled shell, which is buoyant and remains after the animal's death. It has prominent eyes and relatively short arms.

Usage

The term "Spirula peronii" is the scientific binomial name for a specific species of squid-like animal. It is used in formal, scientific, and zoological contexts. - The beachcomber found the delicate, white shell of Spirula peronii washed up on the shore. - Marine biologists study Spirula peronii to understand deep-sea cephalopod adaptations.

Advanced Usage

• The shell of is often referred to as a "ram's horn shell" due to its flat, coiled shape and is commonly found on tropical beaches.
• As the only extant species in its genus and family (Spirulidae), it is sometimes called a "living fossil."

Variants and Related Words

• Spirula (noun): The genus to which this species belongs.
• Spirulidae (noun): The biological family containing the genus .
• Ram's horn shell (noun): The common name for the internal shell of .

Synonyms

• Ram's horn squid (noun): A common name for the living animal.
• Little post horn squid (noun): Another common name.

Related Terms

• Cephalopod (noun): The class of mollusks that includes squids, octopuses, and cuttlefish, to which belongs.
• Internal shell (noun): A shell contained within the body of an animal, as in and cuttlefish.

Noun

1. a small tropical cephalopod of the genus Spirula having prominent eyes and short arms and a many-chambered shell coiled in a flat spiral