anomura
|a-no-mu-ra|
🇺🇸
/əˈnɑːmjʊrə/
🇬🇧
/əˈnɒmjʊrə/
irregular/unequal tail (crustacean group)
Etymology
'anomura' originates from New Latin, ultimately from Greek elements combining 'an-' meaning 'not/irregular' and 'oura' meaning 'tail'.
'anomura' was formed as a New Latin taxonomic name in modern zoological classification, based on a Greek compound referring to an 'irregular tail', and became established in 19th-century systematic works as the name of the infraorder 'Anomura'.
Initially it literally described an 'irregular' or 'unequal' tail (referring to the reduced or asymmetrical abdomen), but over time it evolved into the technical taxonomic name for the infraorder of crustaceans now called 'Anomura'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a taxonomic infraorder (Anomura) of decapod crustaceans that includes hermit crabs, porcelain crabs, squat lobsters, king crabs and related forms; characterized by often-reduced or asymmetrical abdomens.
Many species of anomura have asymmetric abdomens adapted for living in shells or crevices.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/18 08:37