arrowworm
Definition
Noun: 1. A transparent marine worm of the phylum Chaetognatha: A small, slender, nearly transparent predatory worm that lives in plankton. It is characterized by horizontal fins and a row of movable, curved spines on each side of its head used for capturing prey.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Under the microscope, the arrowworm's transparent body and grasping spines were clearly visible.
- Scientists study arrowworms as important predators in the marine planktonic food web.
- The sample contained several species of arrowworm.
Advanced Usage
- Ecological Role: The term is used in marine biology to discuss these organisms as key planktonic predators.
- Arrowworms are often cited as examples of raptorial feeders in zooplankton communities.
Variants and Related Words
- Chaetognath (noun): The formal scientific term for an arrowworm.
- The phylum Chaetognatha includes all known species of arrowworms.
Synonyms
- Chaetognath (scientific synonym)
- Glass worm (descriptive, informal synonym referencing its transparency)
Noun
-
any worm of the Chaetognatha; transparent marine worm with horizontal lateral and caudal fins and a row of movable curved spines at each side of the mouth
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