Alcyoniaceae

/ælˌsaɪəniˈeɪsiː/ noun

Definition

A family of soft corals and alcyonarians characterized by specific structural features and tentacle arrangements.

Etymology

From Alcyonaria plus the taxonomic suffix -ceae, which denotes a family-level classification in scientific nomenclature. This follows Linnaean taxonomy conventions.

Kelly Says

Scientists organize life like Russian nesting dolls—class contains order contains family contains genus contains species—and this word names one specific family of soft ocean creatures!

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