Branchiate

/ˈbræŋkiət/ adjective

Definition

Having gills or gill-like structures; possessing branchiae as respiratory organs.

Etymology

From branchia (gill) + -ate (adjective suffix meaning 'having'), a formal scientific term describing organisms with gills. Used in zoological descriptions since the 1800s.

Kelly Says

Branchiate sea slugs are color-coding predators—their bright branchiate (gill) displays warn fish 'I'm toxic' and advertise their chemical defenses, stolen from the creatures they eat.

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