Definition of Tardigrada in English:
Tardigrada
plural noun ˌtɑːdɪˈɡreɪdətärˈdiɡrədə
Zoology A small phylum that comprises the water bears.
Example sentencesExamples
- The phylum Tardigrada is often classified as one of the ‘lesser-known’ groups of protostomes.
- However, on both morphological and molecular grounds it seems that two groups that are sometimes given phylum rank, the Onychophora and the Tardigrada, are the closest living relatives of the arthropods.
- Other ecdysozoan phyla include Nematoda, Tardigrada, and Onychophora; this classification thus removes onychophorans from the Arthropoda and makes them an outgroup.
- Despite their overall abundance and cosmopolitan distribution, the Tardigrada have been relatively neglected by invertebrate zoologists.
- The recently published Ecdysozoa hypothesis suggests a closer relationship of the Scalidophora, Nematode, Nematomorpha, Tardigrada, Onychophora, and Arthropoda.
Origin
Modern Latin (plural), from Latin tardigradus, from tardus 'slow' + gradi 'to walk'.