Dictionary > Anthozoan

Anthozoan

Anthozoan
(Science: zoology) Pertaining to the anthozoa.
One of the anthozoa.
Definition
noun, plural: anthozoans
Any of the animals (e.g. sea anemones and corals) belonging to class Anthozoa of coelenterate
Supplement
The anthozoans are animals belonging to class Anthozoa. The class Anthozoa has three subclasses: (1) Hexacorallia (includes stony corals, sea anemones, tube anemones, and zoanthids), (2) Octocaorallia (e.g. blue coral, soft corals, sea pens, and gorgonians), and (3) Ceriantharia (e.g. tube-dwelling anemones). The anthozoans differ from other cnidarians in lacking a medusa stage in their life cycle. The basic morphological unit is a clear polyp body with a central mouth surrounded by a ring of stinging tentacles.
The corals may be grouped into hard and soft corals. The hard corals are those that help build coral reefs. They deposit calcium carbonate as they form a hard exoskeleton. The coral species do not belong to only one subclass of Anthozoa but they do join with other groups of animals such as sea anemones, zoanthids, etc. in their respective subclasses.
The sea anemones are the soft-bodied anthozoans belonging to the order Actinaria. They have colorful cylindrical body with a mouth surrounded by tentacles. Their tentacles when expanded resemble the petals of flowers.
Scientific classification:

  • Domain: Eukaryota
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
  • Phylum: Cnidaria
  • Class: Anthozoa Ehrenberg, 1834

See also:

  • coral
  • sea anemone


  • You will also like...

    Body temperature regulation by the hypothalamus
    Temperature Regulation in Animals

    This tutorial elucidates body temperature regulation. Know the details here to learn how the body sets the body temperat..

    The Human Physiology
    The Human Physiology

    Physiology is the study of how living organisms function. Thus, human physiology deals specifically with the physiologic..

    Cell structure
    Cell Structure

    A typical eukaryotic cell is comprised of cytoplasm with different organelles, such as nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, G..

    Angle Oak Tree
    Seed Plants

    Seed plants are vascular plants. They differ from the other vascular plants in producing seeds that germinate into a new..

    Flowers and tiny fruits of the pomegranate plant
    Fruits, Flowers, and Seeds

    This tutorial deals with the structure and function of flowers, fruits, and seeds. Also included here are the types of f..

    Neural Control Mechanisms
    Neural Control Mechanisms

    Neurons generate electric signals that they pass along to the other neurons or target tissues. In this tutorial, you wil..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics