cryptozoic

views updated Jun 11 2018

cryptozoic Describing animals that live mainly within soil, litter, or detritus, being rarely seen in the `open air'. Most are invertebrates, such as earthworms, woodlice, centipedes, and numerous insect larvae, although the term may be extended to include burrowing or hole-dwelling vertebrates, for example some lizards, snakes, and rodents.

A Dictionary of Biology

Cryptozoic

views updated May 08 2018

Cryptozoic (Archaeozoic, Azoic) A period of time equivalent to the Archaean, i.e. prior to 2500 Ma ( Van Eysinga, 1975).

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

Cryptozoic

views updated Jun 11 2018

Cryptozoic(Archaeozoic, Azoic) A period of time that is equivalent to the Archaean (i.e. prior to 2500 Ma).

A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY

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