Copelata

/koʊpəˈlætə/ noun

Definition

A plural or taxonomic class name for barrel-shaped marine animals with transparent bodies, also known as appendicularians.

Etymology

From New Latin, derived from the genus or class designation in marine zoology. The term comes from their distinctive barrel or house-like morphology.

Kelly Says

Copelata are among the ocean's most abundant animals by number—there may be more of them than all fish combined—yet most people have never heard of them because they're too tiny and deep!

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