ACIDASPIS Meaning and
Definition
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Acidaspis is a genus of prehistoric trilobites that lived during the Silurian period, approximately 428 to 419 million years ago. Trilobites were marine arthropods that inhabited the ancient oceans. Acidaspis, belonging to the order Phacopida and family Calmoniidae, was characterized by a distinctive exoskeleton divided into three distinct regions - the cephalon (head), thorax (body), and pygidium (tail).
The cephalon of Acidaspis displayed a semi-circular shape with well-developed eyes and long genal spines. Its thorax consisted of multiple segments, typically eight or nine, each hosting a pair of biramous appendages used for locomotion and feeding. The pygidium was rounded and carried a distinctive pattern of smooth lobes and furrows.
Typically, Acidaspis trilobites attained a moderate size, measuring around a few centimeters in length, but some species could reach up to five centimeters long. They likely lived on the ocean floor, scavenging for detritus and small prey using their specialized feeding appendages.
Fossils of Acidaspis have been discovered in a variety of locations around the world, showcasing their global distribution during the Silurian period. As fossils, Acidaspis provides scientists with important insights into the ancient marine ecosystems, helping to reconstruct the biodiversity and ecological interactions of that time.
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Certain fossil crustaceans, so called from the central lobe of the head-plate projecting over the body in the form of a pointed stomacher.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ACIDASPIS
- zcidaspis
- scidaspis
- wcidaspis
- qcidaspis
- axidaspis
- avidaspis
- afidaspis
- adidaspis
- acudaspis
- acjdaspis
- ackdaspis
- acodaspis
- ac9daspis
- ac8daspis
- acisaspis
- acixaspis
- acicaspis
- acifaspis
- aciraspis
- acieaspis
Etymology of ACIDASPIS
The term "acidaspis" is derived from Ancient Greek. It combines the word "acid" (ἄκις, ákis) meaning "point" or "thorn" and "aspis" (ἀσπίς, aspís) meaning "shield". This name refers to a group of trilobites, an extinct class of marine arthropods, known for their triangular or thorn-like exoskeletons that resemble shields.
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