pygidium

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the terminal dorsal plate or last exposed abdominal segment of certain insects

   The beetle's pointed pygidium extended beyond the ends of its wing cases.

2. 2
   noun

   the fused posterior shield of a trilobite or the comparable tail region of some other arthropods

   The fossil's pygidium remained attached even though most thoracic segments were missing.

Coined in New Latin from Greek pyge ("rump, buttocks") + the diminutive suffix -idium. Zoologists use it for the terminal body plate or fused tail shield of several arthropod groups.

Topics

External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
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