foraminiferan

for·a·min·i·fer  (fôr-mn-fr, fr-) also fo·ram·i·nif·er·an (f-rm-nfr-n)

n.

Any of the chiefly marine protozoans of the order Foraminifera, characteristically having a calcareous shell with perforations through which numerous pseudopods protrude.

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[From New Latin Forminifera, order name : Latin formen, formin-, an opening + Latin -fer, -fer.]

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fo·rami·nifer·ous (f-rm-nfr-s), fo·rami·nifer·al adj.

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foraminiferan  (f-rm-nfr-n)

Any of various chiefly marine protozoans of the order Foraminiferida or Foraminifera, having a body enclosed by a shell called a test and making up an important constituent of plankton. Perforations in a foraminiferan's test allow the protrusion of numerous long extensions (pseudopods), which form a net used to trap food. The tests of foraminiferans grow throughout the organism's life, and can exceed 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter. The tests of dead organisms form ooze found on the ocean floor. Extinct foraminiferans are important index fossils.