rotifer

Any of various microscopic aquatic invertebrate animals of the phylum Rotifera, having at the head end a wheellike ring of cilia used for feeding and locomotion.

The name-giving genus of Rotifera, based upon a species called R. vulgaris, and now placed in the family Philodinidæ, including forms which swim or creep like a leech, and have a forked, jointed, telescopic foot.

Hence [lowercase] One of the Rotifera (which see); any wheel-animalcule.

One of the Rotifera. See Illust. in Appendix.

Any of many minute aquatic multicellular organisms, of the phylum Rotifera, that have a ring of cilia resembling a wheel

minute aquatic multicellular organisms having a ciliated wheel-like organ for feeding and locomotion; constituents of freshwater plankton