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Glite Dictionary
Pelecypoda

Pelecypoda

9.9
A group of shellfish with two hinged shells like clams or oysters
  • noun
  • /ˌpɛlɪˈsɪpədə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : pelecipodo
  • The class Pelecypoda includes familiar shellfish such as oysters and clams.

Examples

  • Oysters are a type of Pelecypoda that filter water.

  • Many restaurants offer dishes made from Pelecypoda, like clam chowder and oyster stew.

  • A course in marine biology covers the diversity of Pelecypoda found in different habitats.

  • Scientists study the anatomy of Pelecypoda to understand mollusc evolution.

  • The Pelecypoda class includes many species of clams.

  • The class Pelecypoda includes various species such as scallops and mussels.

  • To learn more about marine life, students explored the habitats of Pelecypoda along the shore.

Synonyms

bivalve
vsPelecypoda
2 6.3

A water animal with a soft body inside two hinged shells, like a clam or oyster

is the technical class name rather than the common term for the animal
pelecypod
vsPelecypoda
  • Archaic
9.9

A sea animal with a soft body inside two shells joined at one side, like a clam or oyster

is the scientific group name referring to the whole class rather than one animal
Bivalvia
vsPelecypoda
  • Specialized
9.9

Water animals with two shells joined by a hinge, like oysters or clams

is an alternative older name for that same scientific group
Lamellibranchia
vsPelecypoda
  • Archaic
9.9

An old scientific group name for sea animals like oysters and clams with two shells

is the current broader class name not focused on gill structure

Surface Forms

Pelecypoda singular
Pelecypoda plural

Etymology

Pelecypoda comes from Greek parts pelecy- meaning 'axe' and -poda meaning 'foot', because these animals have an axe-shaped 'foot' they use for digging. So, Pelecypoda names the bivalves like oysters, clams, scallops and mussels that live in two shells and use that strong foot, which explains the name.