Amphipoda

Am`phip´o`da

n. pl.

1.

(Zool.) A numerous group of fourteen - footed Crustacea, inhabiting both fresh and salt water. The body is usually compressed laterally, and the anterior pairs or legs are directed downward and forward, but the posterior legs are usually turned upward and backward. The beach flea is an example. See Tetradecapoda and Arthrostraca.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Amphipoda - small flat-bodied semiterrestrial crustaceans: whale lice; sand-hoppers; skeleton shrimp order Amphipoda animal order - the order of animals Malacostraca, subclass Malacostraca - largest subclass of Crustacea including most of the well-known marine, freshwater, and terrestrial crustaceans: crabs; lobsters; shrimps; sow bugs; beach flies amphipod - a kind of malacostracan crustacean family Orchestiidae, Orchestiidae - beach fleas Caprella, genus Caprella - skeleton shrimp Cyamus, genus Cyamus - whale lice