Dictionary > Dactylus

Dactylus

Definition
noun, plural: dactyla
(zooanatomy) A dactyl, i.e. a digit (a finger or a toe)
Supplement
The term dactylus refers to a dactyl, which in turn pertains to a digit (i.e. a finger or a toe) of humans, or that which corresponds in other vertebrates. Etymologically, it comes from the Greek word that means finger or dactyl.
In invertebrates, the term dactylus is used to refer to the tip region of the tentacular club of cephalopods (e.g. squid and octopus). The dactylus of the cephalods is narrow. It may be identified by the asymmetrical placement of suckers and the lack of a dorsal protective membrane.1
Dactylus may also pertain to the leg of a decapod crustacean. The leg of crustacean is comprised of seven segments. In their proper order, the segments are named coxa, basis, ischium, merus, carpus, prodopus, and dactylus. Other crustaceans, though, do not conform to this naming system. The dactylus is the seventh (final) segment of thoracic appendages of crustaceans. In certain crustaceans, the dactylus and an outgrowth of the propodus may be fused, forming the claw.2
Word origin: Greek dáktulos (“a finger, a dactyl”)
See also:

  • dactyl

Reference(s):

1 Dactylus. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dactylus

2 Arthropod leg. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthropod-leg


You will also like...

running freshwater community
Running Water Freshwater Community Factors

This tutorial noted some of the physical and chemical factors that provide the framework of a running water community in..

Evolution of Life - Ancient Earth
Evolution of Life – Ancient Earth

Autotrophs flourished, absorbing carbon and light. Soon after, primitive life forms that could assimilate oxygen thrived..

Nephrolepis exaltata
Vascular Plants: Ferns and Relatives

Ferns and their relatives are vascular plants, meaning they have xylem and phloem tissues. Because of the presence of va..

Gene Pool and Speciation
The Gene Pool and Population Genetics

According to Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, preferable genes are favored by nature in the gene pool, and ..

Endemic Flora of New Zealand
New Zealand’s Unique Flora

If New Zealand has lots of unique animals, it's also got a whole lot of unique plants. Find out more about some of them,..

primitive arthropods
Arthropods

The arthropods were assumed to be the first taxon of species to possess jointed limbs and exoskeleton, exhibit more adva..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics