laemodipoda

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. An order of edriophthalmous crustaceans, related to the amphipods, by some made a group of Amphipoda. It is characterized by having the abdomen rudimentary, reduced to a mere papilla, the first two thoracic somites coalesced with the head, so that the corresponding pairs of limbs seem to be attached to this part, branchial vesicles on several thoracic somites, and in the female laminar oóstegites for carrying the ova. The group consists of two families, Cyamidæ and Caprellidæ, or the whale-lice and the mantis- or specter-shrimps. These animals are marine and parasitic. The Læmodipoda were at one time made a part of the Isopoda, corresponding to a section, Cystibrarichiæ, of that order. They were later raised to ordinal rank, and divided by Latreille into Filiformia and Ovalia. which divisions correspond to the modern families Caprellidæ and Cyamidæ. See these words. Also spelled Lemodipoda.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. (Zoöl.) A division of amphipod Crustacea, in which the abdomen is small or rudimentary and the legs are often reduced to five pairs. The whale louse, or Cyamus, and Caprella are examples.