zooid
/ˈzuːɔɪd
/ /ˈzəʊɔɪd/ /ˈzuːɪd /noun Zoology
An animal arising from another by budding or division, especially each of the individuals which make up a colonial organism and typically have different forms and functions.The most integrated colonies behave like individual organisms, for the zooids making up the colony are all specialized for certain functions and connected to each other....
- The individuals of the colony are called zooids and many zooids with individual siphonal openings cover the surface of the colony.
- Even in the earliest stages of new growth, complete reversals in budding directions of zooids are evident.
Derivatives
zooidal
- Therefore, the two growth constants, isochronous growth levels and simultaneous secretion across shared zooidal boundaries, apply to primary cystiphragm-cortex units.
- The rest of the colony surface, including the maculae, is occupied by kenozooids with thick walls forming polygonal ridges at zooidal boundaries, the ridges occasionally prolonged into short apertural spines.
- Large cystiphragmconstricted zooidal void spaces, a low overall proportion of zooecial space, and a low overall proportions of space taken up by cystiphragms.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from zoo- 'relating to animals' + -oid.