BRANCHIOMERISM
Bran`chi*om"er*ism, n. Etym: [Gr. -mere.] (Anat.)
Defn: The state of being made up of branchiate segments. R.
Wiedersheim.
BRANCHIOPOD
Bran"chi*o*pod, n.
Defn: One of the Branchiopoda.
BRANCHIOPODA
Bran"chi*o*poda, n. pl. Etym: [Gr. -poda: cf. F. branchiopode.]
(Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of Entomostraca; — so named from the feet of branchiopods having been supposed to perform the function of gills. It includes the fresh-water genera Branchipus, Apus, and Limnadia, and the genus Artemia found in salt lakes. It is also called Phyllopoda. See Phyllopoda, Cladocera. It is sometimes used in a broader sense.
BRANCHIOSTEGAL
Bran`chi*os"te*gal, a. Etym: [Gr. branchiostège.] (Anat.)
Defn: Pertaining to the membrane covering the gills of fishes.
— n. (Anat.)
Defn: A branchiostegal ray. See Illustration of Branchial arches in
Appendix.
Note: This term was formerly applied to a group of fishes having boneless branchiæ. But the arrangement was artificial, and has been rejected.