Entomostraca
- noun
- /ˌɛntəˈmɒstrəˌkɑ/
- Archaic
- The group Entomostraca is now considered obsolete, but it once encompassed a wide variety of small aquatic animals.
Examples
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In nineteenth-century zoology, Entomostraca was regarded as a major subclass of crustaceans.
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Many older textbooks still include descriptions of Entomostraca despite changes in classification.
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The term Entomostraca is outdated.
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Many scientists no longer use the term Entomostraca in their research.
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In historical classifications, Entomostraca included various small crustaceans like copepods and barnacles.
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The former group known as Entomostraca has been replaced by more specific classifications in modern zoology.
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Although Entomostraca is no longer used, it once represented an important part of crustacean diversity.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Entomostraca comes from Greek parts entomo- meaning 'insect' and ostraca meaning 'shells'. So the name suggested 'insect-like shells' and was used for many small, shell-covered water animals called crustaceans, which explains why older books grouped these tiny creatures together even though the name is no longer used.
