choanoflagellate

American  

[koh-uh-noh-flaj-uh-leyt] / ˌkoʊ ə noʊˈflædʒ əˌleɪt /

noun

Zoology.

1. any flagellate of the genera Monosiga and Proterospongia, having a protoplasmic collar encircling the base of the flagellum.

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Etymology

Origin of choanoflagellate

1895–1900; < New Latin Choanoflagellata name of the order. See choanocyte, flagellata ( def. )

Example Sentences

Others say it likely evolved from a tiny teardrop-shaped protist called a choanoflagellate, which swam around eating bacteria like a “mini carnivore,” Wiens says.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 30, 2019

And choanoflagellate genomes don't anticipate multicellularity in every respect; they lack some critical genes, including transcription factors such as Pax and Sox, important in animal development.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 28, 2018

The image on the left shows a choanoflagellate, which is a single-celled protest.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015