Cercozoan
/ˌsɜːr.koʊˈzoʊ.ən/noun
A member of the diverse protist group Cercozoa, many of which are amoeba-like organisms with threadlike or filamentous extensions.
Did you know?The name refers to the group’s characteristic filose or threadlike extensions, although Cercozoa includes organisms with remarkably varied shapes and lifestyles.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kérkos
“Tail; a projecting or tapering appendage”
Ancient Greek
Greek
zōion
“Animal or living creature”
19th–20th Century
Scientific Latin
-zoa
“Taxonomic combining form derived from Greek zōion, “animal””
1998
New Latin
Cercozoa
“A protist taxonomic group named from Greek kérkos, “tail,” and zōion, “animal””
Modern English
English
cercozoan
“A member of the Cercozoa group”