Definition

Noun: A taxonomic order within the class Malacostraca, comprising crustaceans commonly known as woodlice, pill bugs, or sow bugs. Members of this order are characterized by having a dorsoventrally flattened body, seven pairs of legs that are similar in form (hence "iso-poda," meaning "equal feet"), and are primarily terrestrial or aquatic detritivores.

Examples of Usage

• The order Isopoda includes familiar species like the common pill bug that rolls into a ball.
• Marine biologists study the diverse species within the order Isopoda found in ocean depths.
• A key characteristic of the order Isopoda is their seven pairs of nearly identical walking legs.

Advanced Usage

• In scientific classification, order Isopoda is placed under the class Malacostraca and subphylum Crustacea.
• The term is used in formal biological contexts to discuss the ecology, morphology, or phylogeny of these organisms.

Variants and Related Words

• Isopod (n): Any individual member or species belonging to the order Isopoda.
  • The rocky shore was covered in various isopods.
• Isopodan (adj): Relating to or characteristic of the order Isopoda.

Synonyms

• Isopods (common name for the group)
• Woodlice (common name for many terrestrial species)
• Pill bugs / Sow bugs (common names for specific terrestrial genera)

Related Phrases

• Terrestrial isopod: An isopod that lives on land, such as a woodlouse.
• Marine isopod: An isopod that lives in the sea, which includes many parasitic species.
• Isopod crustacean: A descriptive phrase emphasizing their classification.

Noun

1. woodlice