spicule

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spicule A small needle or spine, or a small, spiky, skeletal element. In Porifera (sponges), spicules form a skeletal framework supporting the soft, cellular mass. They exist in a variety of forms and are important in the identification and classification of species. An extensive nomenclature has developed through the use of these structures in poriferan taxonomy (e.g. they may be described as monoaxon, tetraxon, triaxon, hexaxon, polyaxon, megasclere, or microsclere). Spicules may be calcareous, siliceous, or of a fibrous material (spongin).

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

spicule

views 1,405,937 updated Jun 08 2018

spicule (spik-yool) n. a small splinter of bone.

A Dictionary of Nursing

spicule

views 3,994,403 updated May 08 2018

spicule A small needle or spine.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

spicule

views 1,268,759 updated May 23 2018

spicule A small needle or spine.

A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY

spicule

views 2,067,047 updated May 29 2018

spicule A small needle or spine.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

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