Definition

Noun: 1. A genus of basket stars: "Genus Gorgonocephalus" is the scientific name for a specific group of marine animals known as basket stars. These are echinoderms, related to starfish, characterized by their highly branched, basket-like arms.

Usage Notes

• "Genus Gorgonocephalus" is a formal, taxonomic term used primarily in scientific contexts such as biology, marine zoology, and taxonomy.
• It is always capitalized because it is a proper scientific name (a genus name).
• In everyday language, the common name "basket stars" is used. The scientific name is used for precise identification.

Examples

• Scientific Context:
  • The specimen was identified as belonging to the genus Gorgonocephalus.
  • Researchers are studying the feeding behavior of Gorgonocephalus.
  • Several species within Genus Gorgonocephalus were documented during the deep-sea expedition.

Advanced Usage

• Binomial Nomenclature: The term is part of a two-part naming system. A full species name would be followed by a specific epithet (e.g., ).
• Phylogenetic Context: Used in discussions about evolutionary relationships, e.g., "The phylogeny suggests is closely related to ."

Variants and Related Words

• Gorgonocephalidae (n): The family name that includes the genus and its closest relatives.
• Basket star (n): The common name for echinoderms in the family Gorgonocephalidae, including those in the genus .
• Ophiuroid (n): The class (Ophiuroidea) to which basket stars and brittle stars belong.

Synonyms

• Basket stars (common name, not a direct taxonomic synonym but refers to the same animals in a general sense).

Related Terms and Phrases

• Type genus: is the type genus for the family Gorgonocephalidae.
• Taxonomic rank: This term specifies the genus level, which sits above species and below family in biological classification.

Noun

1. basket stars