Acalephoid

/ˌækəˈlɛfɔɪd/ adjective

Definition

Resembling or having characteristics similar to a jellyfish; jellyfish-like in form or structure.

Etymology

From 'acaleph' + Greek '-oid' (resembling or having the form of), a common suffix in biology for describing organisms that look similar to others without being in the same taxonomic group.

Kelly Says

The '-oid' suffix is a biologist's way of saying 'looks like but isn't really'—calling something 'acalephoid' means it's jellyfish-like in appearance, a handy term for creatures that evolved similar stinging tentacles through convergent evolution in different ocean depths.

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