Definition of Rotifera in English:
Rotifera
plural noun rəʊˈtɪf(ə)rərōˈtifərə
Zoology A small phylum of minute multicellular aquatic animals which have a characteristic wheel-like ciliated organ used in swimming and feeding.
Example sentencesExamples
- Because the new taxon lacks syncytia, a key character for the Rotifera and Acanthocephala, the Micrognathozoa cannot be included in Syndermata.
- The remaining members of this novel metazoan clade were Rotifera, Acanthocephala (together Syndermata), and Cycliophora.
- Micrognathozoa lack this characteristic feature and, therefore, are postulated to be more basal in the Gnathifera, as a sister-group either to Gnathostomulida or Rotifera / Acanthocephala.
- Substantial phylogenetic evidence from both morphology and molecular data indicates that acanthocephalans have a close evolutionary relationship with Rotifera.
- Evolutionary relationships within the phylum Rotifera are poorly understood despite the important role that they play in freshwater ecosystems.
Origin
Modern Latin (plural), from Latin rota 'wheel' + ferre 'to bear'.