vibraculum

American  

[vahy-brak-yuh-luhm] / vaɪˈbræk jə ləm /

noun

• vibracula
  plural

1. any of the modified polyps on the surface of certain bryozoan colonies, having a long, whiplike appendage that clears away debris.

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vibraculum British  

/ vaɪˈbrækjʊləm /

noun

1. zoology any of the specialized bristle-like polyps in certain bryozoans, the actions of which prevent parasites from settling on the colony

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• vibracular
  adjective
• vibraculoid
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• vibracula
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of vibraculum

1850–55; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin vibrā ( re ) to shake + -culum -cule ²

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vibraculum vibracula

Each vibraculum appears to belong not to a single cell as in Scrupocellaria, but to be common to, or applied to the backs of several.

From Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Commanded By the Late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. Etc. During the Years 1846-1850. Including Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, Etc. to Which Is Added the Account of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's Expedition for the Exploration of the Cape York Peninsula. By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S. Naturalist to the Expedition. — Volume 1 by John MacGillivray

Cells elongate, external side nearly straight, vibraculum sublateral, very prominent.

From Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Commanded By the Late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. Etc. During the Years 1846-1850. Including Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, Etc. to Which Is Added the Account of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's Expedition for the Exploration of the Cape York Peninsula. By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S. Naturalist to the Expedition. — Volume 1 by John MacGillivray

These transverse tubular fibres are, like the radical fibres in Scrupocellaria, always inserted, not into the body of a cell, but into a vibraculum.

From Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Commanded By the Late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. Etc. During the Years 1846-1850. Including Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, Etc. to Which Is Added the Account of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's Expedition for the Exploration of the Cape York Peninsula. By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S. Naturalist to the Expedition. — Volume 1 by John MacGillivray

Along each border of the branches runs a bundle of radical tubes, the number of which diminishes as the branch ascends, each terminating in a vibraculum.

From Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Commanded By the Late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. Etc. During the Years 1846-1850. Including Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, Etc. to Which Is Added the Account of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's Expedition for the Exploration of the Cape York Peninsula. By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S. Naturalist to the Expedition. — Volume 1 by John MacGillivray

Opening of cell broad oval, pointed below; three short indistinct spines above; vibraculum large, sinus deep.

From Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Commanded By the Late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. Etc. During the Years 1846-1850. Including Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, Etc. to Which Is Added the Account of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's Expedition for the Exploration of the Cape York Peninsula. By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S. Naturalist to the Expedition. — Volume 1 by John MacGillivray

The remarkable feature of this genus resides in the vibracula, which here appear to attain their utmost development.

From Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Commanded By the Late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. Etc. During the Years 1846-1850. Including Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, Etc. to Which Is Added the Account of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's Expedition for the Exploration of the Cape York Peninsula. By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S. Naturalist to the Expedition. — Volume 1 by John MacGillivray

In many cases the vibracula have a grooved support at the base, which seems to represent the fixed beak; though this support in some species is quite absent.

From The Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection, 6th Edition by Charles Darwin

When a branch was placed on its face, the vibracula became entangled, and they made violent efforts to free themselves.

From The Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection, 6th Edition by Charles Darwin

Besides the avicularia, the polyzoa possess curious organs called vibracula.

From The Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection, 6th Edition by Charles Darwin

The walls of the vibracula are usually thin, and very transparent, so as to allow the outlines of the cells to be seen imperfectly through them.

From Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Commanded By the Late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. Etc. During the Years 1846-1850. Including Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, Etc. to Which Is Added the Account of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's Expedition for the Exploration of the Cape York Peninsula. By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S. Naturalist to the Expedition. — Volume 1 by John MacGillivray

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