Lophotrochozoans Terms

salinity

the dissolved water content of the water

brackish

water systems where salinities can change from almost fresh to almost marine in a matter of hours as tides move in and out.

osmoconformer

passively allows osmosis to occur until the internal ion concentration conforms or matches the outside salinity; the organism will gain or lose water

osmoregulator

actively adds or removes ions or water from their cells and bodies in an attempt to maintain a constant internal ion concentration no matter the salinity around them.

lophophore

feeding structure that bears tentacles, found in a few lophotrochozoan phyla

trochophore

a type of ciliated larvae found in some marine & aquatic lophotrochozoans

cephalization

development of a head with sensory organs

endoparasites

parasites found in digestive, respiratory, urinary and reproductive tracts of vertebrates

ectoparasites

parasites found on skin and gills

scolex

in tapeworms, attaches worm to host

proglottids

in tapeworms, segments filled with reproductive organs

setae

hair-like bristles

corona

ciliated wheels found on a rotifer's head.

mastax

muscular pharynx of a rotifer that grinds up ingested food. Moves rhythmically and looks like a beating heart.

parapodia

leg-like, paired appendages used by errantians for movement. 

clitellum

thick external band of a sedentarian (earthworm) used for copulation.hirudin: in leeches, anesthetic and anticoagulant in saliva

radula

rasping teeth of molluscs

aperture

opening of a gastropod shell

operculum

plate on the back of foot in gastropod, closes aperture

venomous

organism that injects toxin

poisonous

organism that is toxic by ingestion

pen

internal chitinous reduced shell of squid