noun
- microscopic marine protozoans with intricate silica skeletons, typically spherical with radiating spines
Usage: biology; marine science
Examples
- Radiolarians are abundant in ocean plankton communities.
- The fossil record shows radiolarians dating back millions of years.
- Scientists study radiolarians to understand ancient ocean conditions.
- Radiolarians create beautiful geometric patterns with their silica shells.
- Deep-sea sediments often contain preserved radiolarian skeletons.
- Marine biologists collect radiolarians using fine plankton nets.