Heteropoda

/ˌhetərəˈpoʊdə/ noun

Definition

The plural of heteropod, or the taxonomic group containing these free-swimming marine mollusks.

Etymology

From Greek 'hetero-' (different) + 'poda' (plural of 'pous', meaning feet). This is the scientific classification term for the entire family of these creatures.

Kelly Says

Heteropoda includes some seriously bizarre creatures like the sea butterfly, which despite living underwater isn't actually a butterfly—it's a living fossil that has barely changed in 60 million years!

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