univalve

[ yoo-nuh-valv ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

univalve

/ ˈjuːnɪˌvælv /

relating to, designating, or possessing a mollusc shell that consists of a single piece (valve)

univalve

/ yo̅o̅′nĭ-vălv′ /

A gastropod, especially one with a single shell, such as a snail, cone, whelk, abalone, or limpet. Univalves belong to the subclass Prosobranchia. Their shells are usually spiral and can hold the whole animal inside.
Compare bivalve

First recorded in 1655–65; uni- + valve

Some of these are most vivid in their shapes and ray-like markings, particularly the univalve shells.

E is Spirorbis, a minute form with a coiled tube, which looks at first sight like a small univalve shell.

The snail proper bears a typical univalve shell: though in its relatives (the slugs), the shell is more or less suppressed.

The lid is not, however, like the tongue-ribbon, an essential feature of the structure of every univalve mollusc.

The anterior of a spiral univalve is that part of the outer lip which is at the greatest distance from the apex.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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