protopodite

invertebrate anatomy

Also known as: protopod

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

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The protopodite is the basal part of a typical limb in crustaceans. It consists of two segments and bears an exopodite or endopodite, or both, at its end. This biramous limb structure, with a protopodite and two branches (endopodite and exopodite), is thought to be the ancestral form from which other crustacean appendages have evolved. The protopodite can vary in its development and may have additional lobes called endites and exites.12

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crustacean
Appendages
…has a basal part, or protopodite, bearing two branches, an inner endopodite and an outer exopodite. The protopodite can vary greatly in its development and may have additional lobes on both its inner and outer margin, called, respectively, endites and exites. The walking legs of many malacostracans have become uniramous…
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…has a basal part, or protopodite, bearing two branches, an inner endopodite and an outer exopodite. The protopodite can vary greatly in its development and may have additional lobes on both its inner and outer margin, called, respectively, endites and exites. The walking legs of many malacostracans have become uniramous…
Read More