ammocoete
1
9.9
A young lamprey that lives buried in river mud and filters tiny plants and animals from water
- noun
- /ˈæməˌkoʊt/
- Specialized
:
ammocete
- The scientist collected several ammocoetes from the riverbed for her research.
Examples
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It can take several years for an ammocoete to transform into an adult lamprey.
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During this stage, the ammocoete burrows into the mud and filters food from the water.
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The ammocoete lives in the mud at the bottom of rivers.
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Have you ever seen an ammocoete in its natural habitat?
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When they first hatch, young lamprey are called ammocoetes.
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For several years, ammocoetes live buried in mud, consuming tiny organisms.
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During their larval stage, ammocoetes remain in the sediment, feeding on microorganisms.
Surface Forms
ammocoete singular
ammocoetes plural
Etymology
The word ammocoete comes from Greek roots ammos 'sand' and koite 'bed' or 'place to lie down'. So an ammocoete is like a 'sand-dweller', which fits the larval lamprey that burrows in mud and lives on the river bottom before becoming an adult.