| tectibranchiata | <zoology> An order, or suborder, of gastropod Mollusca in which the gills are usually situated on one side of the back, and protected by a fold of the mantle. When there is a shell, it is usually thin and delicate and often rudimentary. The aplysias and the bubble shells are examples. Origin: NL, fr. L. Tectus (p.p. Of tegere to cover) + Gr. A gill. (01 Mar 1998) |
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