phylum Rotifera
- noun
- /ˈfaɪləm roʊˈtɪfərə/
- Specialized
:
filo Rotifera
- Members of the phylum Rotifera are important for studying aquatic ecosystems.
Examples
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Researchers discovered a new species within the phylum Rotifera in a freshwater pond.
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The phylum Rotifera includes more than 2,000 described species of rotifers.
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The phylum Rotifera consists of tiny aquatic organisms.
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Did you know that phylum Rotifera includes over 2,000 species?
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Researchers discovered a new species within the phylum Rotifera in a freshwater pond.
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Members of the phylum Rotifera are important for studying aquatic ecosystems.
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The phylum Rotifera includes more than 2,000 described species of rotifers.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A tiny water animal with a spinning ring of hairs it uses to eat and move
A group of tiny water animals that live in ponds, lakes, or the sea
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase simply names the taxonomic group consisting of rotifers: combining 'phylum' (a biological rank) with the taxon name 'Rotifera' yields the literal meaning 'the phylum that comprises Rotifera'. This is compositional and follows cross-linguistic scientific naming conventions, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.
Etymology
Phylum Rotifera comes from old Latin words rota ('wheel') and fera ('bearing'), so it literally means 'wheel-bearer'. This is a handy image because these tiny water animals have a round, spinning ring of tiny hairs at their front that looks like a small wheel, so the name describes their 'wheel-like' head.