lophophore

American  

[lof-uh-fawr, -fohr, loh-fuh-] / ˈlɒf əˌfɔr, -ˌfoʊr, ˈloʊ fə- /

noun

1. the ring of ciliated tentacles encircling the mouth of a bryozoan or phoronid.

2. a similar organ in a brachiopod, composed of two ciliated, spirally coiled tentacles.

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lophophore British  

/ ˈləʊfəˌfɔː /

noun

1. a circle or horseshoe of ciliated tentacles surrounding the mouth and used for the capture of food in minute sessile animals of the phyla Brachiopoda, Phoronida, and Ectoprocta

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lophophore Scientific  

/ lŏf′ə-fôr′ /

1. A horseshoe-shaped ciliated organ located near the mouth of brachiopods, bryozoans, and phoronids that is used to gather food.

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Other Word Forms

• lophophoral
  adjective
• lophophorate
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of lophophore

1840–50; < Greek lóph ( os ) a crest, ridge + -o- -o- + -phore

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lophophore

Some lophotrochozoan phyla are characterized by a larval stage called trochophore larvae, and other phyla are characterized by the presence of a feeding structure called a lophophore.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

The lophophores include groups that are united by the presence of the lophophore, a set of ciliated tentacles surrounding the mouth.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

Its status has been much disputed, some authors regarding the shape of the lophophore as of great morphological importance, while Jullien believed that Fredericella was merely an abnormal or monstrous form of Plumatella.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson

Retractor muscles The muscles by the action of which the lophophore can be pulled back into the zoœcium.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson

The lophophore in most genera is horseshoe-shaped instead of circular, the part opposite the anus being deeply indented.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson