Heterostrophous

/ˌhɛtərəˈstrɑːfəs/ adjective

Definition

Having an abnormal or opposite spiral or coiling pattern, particularly used to describe shells that twist in an unusual direction.

Etymology

Greek 'hetero-' (different) plus 'strophous' (turned); a variant form emphasizing the biological condition of reversed coiling in mollusks.

Kelly Says

When a snail is born heterostrophous, it's essentially building its home in mirror-image—and if it tries to mate with normal snails, reproductive incompatibility can make it evolutionary dead-end.

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