Xiphosura

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Limuloidea \Lim`u*loi"de*a\ (l[i^]m`[-u]*loi"d[-e]*[.a]), n. pl.
     [NL. See {Limulus}, and {-oid}.] (Zool.)
     An order of Merostomata, including among living animals the
     genus {Limulus}, with various allied fossil genera, mostly of
     the Carboniferous period. Called also {{Xiphosura}}.
     [1913 Webster]


  
     Note: There are six pairs of leglike organs, surrounding the
           mouth, most of which terminate in claws; those of the
           first pair (probably mandibles) are the smallest; the
           others have the basal joints thickened and spinose, to
           serve as jaws, while the terminal joints serve as legs.
           This group is intermediate, in some characteristics,
           between crustaceans and certain arachnids (scorpions),
           but the respiration is by means of lamellate gills
           borne upon the five posterior abdominal appendages,
           which are flat and united in pairs by their inner
           edges, and are protected by the lidlike anterior pair,
           which also bear the genital orifices.
           [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Xiphosura \Xiph`o*su"ra\, n. pl.
     See {Xiphura}.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Xiphura \Xi*phu"ra\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. xi`fos sword + o'yra`
     tail.] (Zool.)
     Same as {Limuloidea}. Called also {Xiphosura}.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  Xiphosura
       n : horseshoe crabs and extinct forms [syn: {order Xiphosura}]