1. A single-celled aquatic organism with a spherical body and radiating pseudopodia, belonging to the phylum Heliozoa.
Usage: biology; also called sun animalcule

Examples

• The heliozoan uses its radiating pseudopodia to capture small prey particles.
• Under the microscope, the heliozoan appeared as a tiny sphere surrounded by delicate spines.
• Heliozoans are commonly found in freshwater ponds and lakes.
• The name heliozoan comes from the Greek words for sun and animal, referring to its sun-like appearance.