tectibranchiata

Tec`ti*bran`chi*a"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. tectus (p.p. of tegere to cover) + Gr. (Zoöl.) Defn: An order, or suborder, of gastropod Mollusca in which the gills are usually situated on one side of the back, and protected by a fold of the mantle. When there is a shell, it is usually thin and delicate and often rudimentary. The aplysias and the bubble shells are examples.

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