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Glite Dictionary
dibranchiate

dibranchiate

9.9
A sea animal like a squid or octopus that has two gills
  • noun
  • /ˌdaɪˈbræŋkiət/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dibranquial
  • The dibranchiate molluscs, such as squids and octopuses, possess only two gills.

Examples

  • Unlike the dibranchiates, nautiluses belong to a separate subclass with four gills.

  • Marine biologists study dibranchiate anatomy to understand cephalopod evolution.

  • The dibranchiate species are fascinating to study.

  • Many dibranchiate animals, like squids, are found in deep oceans.

  • Marine biologists study dibranchiate anatomy to understand cephalopod evolution.

  • The dibranchiate molluscs, such as squids and octopuses, possess only two gills.

  • Many dibranchiate animals, like squids, are found in deep oceans.

Synonyms

dibranchiate mollusk
vsdibranchiate
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea animal with two gills like a squid or octopus

is narrower, listing squids and octopuses but excluding cuttlefish
dibranch
vsdibranchiate
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea animal like a squid or octopus that has two gills

is the general descriptive term without taxonomic classification

Compounds

dibranchiate mollusk
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea animal with two gills like a squid or octopus

Surface Forms

dibranchiate singular
dibranchiates plural

Morphology

dibranchiate = branchiate (semi-transparent) = di + branchi + ate

The formation di- (two) + branchiate (having gills) is morphologically regular, but both elements are technical and unfamiliar to most learners.

Etymology

Dibranchiate comes from the prefix di- meaning 'two', as in bicycle, and branchia meaning 'gills', so it literally means 'two-gilled' and describes sea animals like squids and octopuses that have two gills.