- Industry: Government
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NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
A large opening through which water flows out of a sponge. Sponges may have more than one osculum.
Industry:Natural environment
A part of the water vascular system of echinoderms. Specifically, a circumoral ring around the esophogus with connecting radial canals each leading to an ambulacrum .It connects to the madreporite via the stone canal; also, the part of the distributive portion of the digestive system of scyphozoan medusae that is located in the margin of the bell. The ring canal communicates with the radial and adradial canals.
Industry:Natural environment
A small celestial body orbiting a larger one; a man-made object designed to orbit a celestial body.
Industry:Natural environment
A toxic substance which interferes with the electrical activities of nerves and inhibits, damages or destroys the tissues of the nervous system, especially neurons (nerve cells) .
Industry:Natural environment
An echinoderm characterized by radial symmetry, and usually with five arms (rays) radiating from a central body. Minute pincer-like structures on the arms, called pedicellaria, ensure that the surface of the arms stay free from algae. There are a few sea stars that have 6 or 7 arms, and some with even more. Injuries will also cause more arms to grow. The majority of sea stars are carnivorous and feed on sponges, bryozoans, ascidians and mollusks. Other are detritus feeders or scavengers. Some sea stars, for example the crown-of-thorns that feeds on coral polyps, are specialized feeders; also called "starfish" .
Industry:Natural environment
In sponges, a cavity lined with choanocytes and located between incurrent and excurrent systems.
Industry:Natural environment
Not normal; contrary to the usual structure, position, behavior or rule.
Industry:Natural environment
Relating to or coming from the south; of the south temperate region, between the antarctic and tropical regions.
Industry:Natural environment
