statolith

From stato- +‎ -lith.

statolith (plural statoliths)

1. A specialized form of amyloplast involved in graviperception by plant roots and most invertebrates.
   • 2002, David Randall, Eckert Animal Physiology‎, page 242:

     The statolith is either acquired from the animal's surroundings or secreted by the epithelial cells of the statocyst.

   • 2017, Danna Staaf, Squid Empire, ForeEdge, →ISBN, page 110:

     When the squid (or other cephalopod) accelerates, the statolith is pressed back in its “seat” like a person in a car.

• otolith