Cassidulina

/ˌkæsɪˈduːlɪnə/ noun

Definition

A genus of tiny marine foraminifera (single-celled organisms) with shell-like structures, commonly found in deep ocean sediments.

Etymology

Scientific Latin from cassida (helmet) plus -ulina (diminutive suffix), describing the helmet-like shape of their microscopic shells.

Kelly Says

These invisible creatures sink to the ocean floor by the trillions when they die, and scientists use their shells in sediment cores to read Earth's climate history like tree rings!

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