Acoela

/ə.ˈsiː.lə/ noun

Definition

A group of small, primitive flatworms without a body cavity, found primarily in marine environments.

Etymology

From Greek 'a-' (without) combined with 'koile' (cavity or hollow space). These animals were named in scientific taxonomy because they lack the coelom (body cavity) that most other animals have.

Kelly Says

Acoels are some of the weirdest creatures on Earth—they're worms with eyes but no brain, no mouth, no stomach, and they might actually be older than everything else with a body cavity, making them living fossils of animal evolution!

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