Costata

/kɒˈsteɪtə/ noun

Definition

A scientific name suffix or term indicating ribbed or ridged structure, often used in biological nomenclature for species with ribbed characteristics.

Etymology

From Latin costatus meaning 'ribbed,' used in Linnaean scientific naming to describe organisms with prominent ribs or ridge patterns in their anatomy or shells.

Kelly Says

When biologists name a clam or shell 'costata,' they're literally saying 'the ribbed one' in Latin—the scientific naming system lets you read physical descriptions right in the organism's name.

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