Aristotle's lantern
Aristotle's Lantern
Aristotle's Lantern (/ɑːrɪˈstɒtəlz ˈlæntərn/) is the unique, jaw-like feeding apparatus found in sea urchins. The term was first coined by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who described the structure in his work, Historia Animalium.
Etymology
The term "Aristotle's Lantern" is derived from the name of the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who first described the structure in his writings. The term "lantern" is used to describe the structure's complex, lantern-like appearance.
Structure and Function
Aristotle's Lantern is composed of five calcareous plates, which are moved by a complex system of muscles. These plates form a beak-like structure that the sea urchin uses to scrape algae and other food from rocks. The structure is capable of exerting a powerful bite, allowing the sea urchin to bore into rocks and create hiding places.
Related Terms
- Sea Urchin: A marine animal that possesses Aristotle's Lantern as part of its anatomy.
- Historia Animalium: The work of Aristotle where he first described the structure of Aristotle's Lantern.
- Echinoidea: The class of marine animals that includes sea urchins.
See Also
- Echinoderm: The phylum to which sea urchins belong.
- Aristotle: The Greek philosopher who first described the structure.
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.