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Glite Dictionary
🦠 A tiny rotifer 🦠 Relating to rotifers
bdelloid

bdelloid

1 9.9
A tiny freshwater animal that reproduces without males
  • noun
  • /ˈdɛloʊɪd/
  • Specialized
: bdeloide
  • The bdelloid is a microscopic animal found in freshwater habitats.
  • bdelloid rotifers

Examples

  • The bdelloid is a fascinating creature.

  • A bdelloid can survive in harsh conditions by entering a dormant state.

  • Scientists discovered a bdelloid living in a drop of pond water under the microscope.

  • The unique reproduction of the bdelloid has fascinated biologists for decades.

  • Many bdelloids thrive in freshwater habitats.

  • Scientists study how bdelloids can thrive in various damp environments.

  • Due to their unique reproductive method, bdelloids are often researched in biology.

Surface Forms

bdelloid singular
bdelloids plural

Morphology

bdelloid = Bdelloidea (opaque) = bdello + oid

The noun uses the technical combining stem 'bdello-' with '-oid'; the stem is not a standalone English word and is unlikely to be known by general learners.

Etymology

A bdelloid is named from Greek bdella 'leech' plus -oid 'like', so the name literally means 'leech-like'. This helps you remember the noun: a bdelloid is a tiny freshwater animal that looks or moves a bit like a small leech.