ancestrula, n. Zool.
(ænˈsɛstrʊlə)
[mod.L. (coined in Fr. by J. Jullien in Mission Scientifique du Cap Horn 1882–83 (1891) VI. iii. 27): see ancestor n., -ule.]
The first or founder zooid of a bryozoan colony, formed by the metamorphosis of a sexually produced larva.
| 1902 Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XLVI. 321 The primary zoœcium, has been termed the ‘ancestrula’ by Jullien.., a name which he appears to have used merely to convey the idea that it was the actual ancestor..of the other individuals of the colony. 1911 Encycl. Brit. XXII. 43/1 The ancestrula inaugurates a process of budding, continued by its progeny, and thus gives rise to the mature colony. 1967 Oceanogr. & Marine Biol. V. 352 Subsequent growth of the colony..occurs in a regular manner around the ancestrula. 1987 Laverack & Dando Lect. Notes Invertebr. Zool. (ed. 3) xxviii. 161/1 The metamorphosis is complete with the formation of the first zooid or ancestrula. |