Bopyridae

plural noun

Bo·​pyr·​i·​dae
-rəˌdē
: a large family of isopod crustaceans that live as parasites on shrimps and other decapods, the large females attaching themselves to their host by hooked legs, often causing parasitic castration of the host, and themselves becoming extremely degenerated while the minute males live on or near the females and in large measure retain their isopod characters

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Bopyrus, type genus (probably from a proper name Bopyrus) + -idae

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Cite this Entry

“Bopyridae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bopyridae. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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