One question regarding the Amphipod article

[Dracunculus]

Thanks for all of your articles. I learn a great deal from them and look forward to reading them each month.

I just have one question regarding a statement you made in your September 2004 Reefkeeping Magazine. You discuss the branched appendages which characterize the crustaceans, and state that it is because they branch into the leg and the gills. Wouldn't the term more likely derive from the root "branch" as in nudibranch, meaning that they have their breathing apparati attached to their appendages? (and therefore be pronounced as "branked" appendages)

Sorry if this is nitpicking. Just trying to see if there is a better explanation of the term.

 

[rshimek]

Re: One question regarding the Amphipod article

Originally posted by Dracunculus

Hi,

Wouldn't the term more likely derive from the root "branch" as in nudibranch, meaning that they have their breathing apparati attached to their appendages? (and therefore be pronounced as "branked" appendages)

Not in the slightest. Sorry.

You are confusing "branch" in English with derivations of the Greek branchi or branchion = gills.

The technical term for the branching of the crustacean appendages is "rami' with each branch being a "ramus". The appendage physically branches into two "stems" generally at the leg segment number 2 (referred to as the coxa), but sometimes at leg segment number 1(the basis). The gill is a separate "branch" as in tree branch and the root ramus derives from the Latin term "ramus" meaning a tree branch. Just to make things interesting, the gill on the appendage is referred to as an "arthrobranch" mean "joint" gill.

Hope this clears up your confusion.

 

[Dracunculus]

The English language is a wonderfully confusing thing. Thanks for the clarification.