amphineura

noun

Meaning

A former taxonomic group of mollusks characterized by a mantle covered with calcareous spicules and a nervous system consisting of lateral and pedal cords.

Examples

  • The classification of the Amphineura has been largely superseded by modern molecular phylogenetics.
  • Students of malacology often learn about the Amphineura to understand the ancestral traits of chitons.

Synonyms: mollusk, chiton, polyplacophoran, aplacophoran