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.

---

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

---

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.

---

Other Word Forms

• lophophoral adjective
• lophophorate adjective

Etymology

Origin of lophophore

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

Example Sentences

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

As lophotrochozoans, the organisms in this superphylum possess either a lophophore or trochophore larvae.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

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

Zoaria dendritic; zoœcia distinctly tubular, with the ectocyst well developed; statoblasts of one kind only, each surrounded by a chitinous ring devoid of air-spaces; polypides with the lophophore circular or oval when expanded.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson

The extended part of the polypide measures when fully expanded rather less than 3 mm., and each limb of the lophophore about the same.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson