1. A bivalve mollusk, such as a clam, mussel, or oyster, having gills in the form of thin plates or lamellae.
Usage: zoology; also called a bivalve or pelecypod

1. Of, relating to, or belonging to the class of bivalve mollusks with lamellar gills.
Usage: zoology

Examples

• The lamellibranch oyster filters water through its plate-like gills.
• Clams are common lamellibranchs found in marine and freshwater environments.
• The lamellibranch structure of mussels allows them to extract nutrients efficiently from water.
• Paleontologists study fossil lamellibranchs to understand ancient ocean ecosystems.
• Scallops are lamellibranchs that can move by rapidly opening and closing their shells.
• The lamellibranch class includes some of the most economically important shellfish species.