Dactylopore

/ˈdæktɪləpɔːr/ noun

Definition

In colonial organisms like corals and hydroids, a specialized pore or opening through which finger-like feeding appendages extend to capture food.

Etymology

From Greek daktylos (finger) + poros (pore/opening). This biological term describes structural features in colonial marine animals.

Kelly Says

Coral colonies look like tiny cities with thousands of dactylopores dotting their surface—each one is a little mouth with finger-like arms that grab plankton from the water.

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