branchiopods
|branch-i-o-pods|
🇺🇸
/ˈbræŋkiəˌpɑd/
🇬🇧
/ˈbræŋkiəpɒd/
(branchiopod)
gill-footed small crustaceans
Etymology
'branchiopod' originates from New Latin (scientific coinage), specifically formed from Greek roots 'branchia' meaning 'gill' and 'pous' meaning 'foot'.
'branchiopod' was formed from Neo-/New Latin 'Branchiopoda' (a taxonomic name built from Greek elements) and was adopted into English scientific usage in the 19th century as 'branchiopod' for members of that group.
Initially it literally meant 'gill-footed', describing the morphology ('gill' + 'foot'); over time it became used as the technical name for the taxonomic group of small crustaceans now referred to as 'branchiopods'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'branchiopod': members of the class Branchiopoda — small, mostly freshwater crustaceans characterized by leaf-like (gill-bearing) limbs; includes fairy shrimp, water fleas (Daphnia), clam shrimp and tadpole shrimp.
Branchiopods are often among the first animals to colonize temporary ponds after rains.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/28 02:34