Cladocerous

/klædoʊˈsɛrəs/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or characteristic of cladocerans, especially having branched antennae like water fleas.

Etymology

Formed from Cladocera with the adjectival suffix '-ous,' meaning 'full of' or 'having the quality of.' Retains the Greek root elements meaning 'branched horns.'

Kelly Says

The cladocerous body plan—small, with a bivalve shell enclosing most of the body—represents one of nature's most successful designs for filter-feeding in freshwater, evolved over 300 million years ago.

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