avicularium
Bryozoan defensive structure
An avicularium is a specialized defensive structure found on the surface of certain bryozoans—tiny colonial marine animals.
These small, beak-like appendages snap shut on intruders, preventing larvae of other organisms from settling on the colony.
The name comes from their resemblance to a bird's head.
Plural: avicularia.
Dependent territorial settlement
- cheilostomeBryozoan with operculated zooids
- ectoproctColonial aquatic invertebrate
- heterozooidSpecialized colonial individual
- encrustingForming a hardened covering
Lower facial bone
- operculumAnatomical lid structure
- rostrumRaised speaker's platform
- palateOral cavity ceiling
- vestibuleEnclosed space between doors
orifice · seta · muscle · hinge · adductor · aperture · chamber · beak
colony
Dependent territorial settlement
- cheilostomeBryozoan with operculated zooids
- ectoproctColonial aquatic invertebrate
- heterozooidSpecialized colonial individual
encrusting · tentacles · sessile · marine invertebrate · calcified
mandible
Lower facial bone
vestibule · orifice · seta · muscle · hinge · adductor · aperture · chamber · beak · jaw
defense
Protection against harm
pinch · protection · removal · debris · larvae · predator · parasites · sweep · snap · grip
sessile
Attached at base
- adventitiousArising by chance, not inherent
- vicariousExperienced through another
- giantBeing of huge size
acute · spatulate · frontal · lateral · marginal · elongate · stalked · pivoting · triangular · enlarged
- bryozoansElectra, phylactolaemata, heterozooid