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Ascidiaceae

Ascidiaceae

9.9
Simple marine animals called sea squirts that live in shallow water
  • noun
  • Specialized
: Asidiáceos
  • Members of the Ascidiaceae are filter-feeding marine animals commonly known as sea squirts.

Examples

  • Some species in the Ascidiaceae family attach themselves to rocks or ship hulls.

  • Did you know that Ascidiaceae are often found in shallow waters?

  • Marine biologists study the Ascidiaceae to understand their evolutionary history.

  • The Ascidiaceae family includes various species of sea squirts.

  • Marine biologists study the Ascidiaceae to understand their evolutionary history.

  • Members of the Ascidiaceae are filter-feeding marine animals commonly known as sea squirts.

  • Some species in the Ascidiaceae family attach themselves to rocks or ship hulls.

Surface Forms

Ascidiaceae singular
Ascidiaceas plural

Morphology

Ascidiaceae = ascidian (semi-transparent) = ascidian + aceae

The formation is regular for scientific family names (base + '-aceae'), but '-aceae' is a specialized taxonomic suffix that may be unfamiliar to general learners.

Etymology

Ascidiaceae comes from the old Greek word askidion, which means 'little bag', because these animals have soft, bag-like bodies. So the name fits: Ascidiaceae are the family of sea squirts, animals that filter water and sometimes 'squirt' it back.