TUNICATA
Urochordata, subphylum Urochordata, Urochorda, subphylum Urochorda, Tunicata, subphylum Tunicata
(noun) tunicates
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Tu`ni*ca"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Tunicate.] (Zoöl.)
Definition: A grand division of the animal kingdom, intermediate, in some
respects, between the invertebrates and vertebrates, and by some
writers united with the latter. They were formerly classed with
acephalous mollusks. The body is usually covered with a firm external
tunic, consisting in part of cellulose, and having two openings, one
for the entrance and one for the exit of water. The pharynx is
usually dilated in the form of a sac, pierced by several series of
ciliated slits, and serves as a gill.
Note: Most of the species when mature are firmly attached to foreign
substances, but have free-swimming larvæ which are furnished with an
elongated tail and somewhat resemble a tadpole. In this state the
larva has a urochord and certain other structures resembling some
embryonic vertebrates. See Ascidian, Doliolum, Salpa, Urochord, and
Illust. of Social ascidian, under Social.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition