A class of microscopic animals related to rotifers, characterized by their leech-like appearance and the presence of chitinous jaws.
From Greek 'bdella' (βδέλλα) meaning 'leech,' with the Latinized class ending '-a.' These organisms were named for their resemblance to leeches despite being much smaller and aquatic.
Bdelloida includes some of the most extreme survivors on Earth—they can lose 99% of their water and go into suspended animation for decades, yet we named them after leeches because of how they look!
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