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Online Dictionary of Invertebrate Zoology: Complete Work - Best Text

Online Dictionary of Invertebrate Zoology: Complete Work - Best Text

Online Dictionary of Invertebrate Zoology: Complete Work - Best Text

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<strong>Online</strong> <strong>Dictionary</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Invertebrate</strong> <strong>Zoology</strong> 235at the edge.continental drift The hypothetical movement <strong>of</strong> continentsacross the surface <strong>of</strong> the earth.continuous variation Individuals differing from each other bysmall steps, <strong>of</strong>ten just barely discernible. see discontinuousvariation.contorted a. [L. contortus, twisted together] Twisted orstraining out <strong>of</strong> shape or place.contour n. [L. cum, with; tornare, to turn] The outline; theperiphery.contract v. [L. cum, with; trahere, to draw] To draw together;to reduce in size; to shrink. contractile a.contractile tubules (SIPUN) Numerous, short and simple, orlonger and branching tubules originating from the contractilevessel and extending into the body cavity; polian tubules.contractile vessel(s) (SIPUN) A single or pair <strong>of</strong> tubes attachedto the surface <strong>of</strong> the esophagus, anteriorly communicatingwith the fine vessels in the tentacles and endingblindly posteriorly; compensatory sac.contractility n. [L. cum, together; trahere, to draw] The capability<strong>of</strong> muscle fibers to contract.contractin n. [L. cum, together; trahere, to draw] Thought tobe neurohumor that induces contraction <strong>of</strong> the chromatophores.contracture n. [L. cum, together; trahere, to draw] Contraction<strong>of</strong> muscles enduring after stimulus has ceased.contralateral a. [L. contra, against; latus, side] Pertaining to,or associated with similar parts on the opposite side. seeipsilateral.contranatant a. [L. contra, against; natare, to swim] Swimmingor migrating against the current. see denatant.conule n.; pl. conuli [L. dim. conus, cone] (PORIF) The tentlikeelevation <strong>of</strong> the surface membrane. conulose a.conus n.; pl. coni [L. conus, cone] Any cone-shaped structure.convergence n. [L. convergere, to incline] Morphological

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