amphioxus

Sci-Tech Dictionary: amphioxus

(′am·fē′äk·səs)

(zoology) Former designation for the lancelet, Branchiostoma.

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Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: amphioxus

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Any of certain small marine chordates (invertebrate subphylum Cephalochordata) found widely on tropical and subtropical coasts and less commonly in temperate waters. Seldom more than 3 in. (8 cm) long, they resemble small, slender fishes without eyes or a definite head. They are grouped in several species in two genera (Branchiostoma or Amphioxus, and Epigonichthyes or Asymmetron). They spend much of their time buried in gravel or mud on the ocean bottom, though they are able to swim, and feed by filtering food particles from water passing through their gill slits. They have no brain or distinct heart.

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WordNet: amphioxus

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Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: small translucent lancet-shaped burrowing marine animal; primitive forerunner of the vertebrates
Synonym: lancelet

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	branchiostoma
	Branchiostoma (zoology)
	lancelet

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		Sci-Tech Dictionary. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. Copyright © 2003, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1978, 1976, 1974 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
		Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
		WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. Read more