Polyplacophora (Noun)
Meaning
Small class of marine mollusks comprising the chitons; sometimes considered an order of the subclass Amphineura.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Polyplacophora are mollusks with eight shell plates, known as valves, which protect their soft, oval-shaped bodies.
- Chitons, the members of the class Polyplacophora, have been around since the early Ordovician period.
- Some sources classify Polyplacophora as an order of the subclass Amphineura, but others recognize it as a separate class.
- The fossil record shows that Polyplacophora have changed very little over millions of years, indicating their ability to adapt to their environments.
- Scientists are particularly interested in the radula of Polyplacophora, as it has remained relatively unchanged since the class's early days.