noun
- any marine worm of the class Polychaeta, characterized by bristle-like structures (chaetae) on each body segment
Usage: zoology; also called polychaete
Examples
- The chaetopod extended its bristles to filter food from the seawater.
- Marine biologists collected several chaetopod specimens from the ocean floor.
- Chaetopods are important members of many marine ecosystems.
- The chaetopod's segmented body is covered with distinctive bristles.
- Some chaetopods are bioluminescent and glow in the deep sea.