noun
- Plural of pygidium; the posterior body region of trilobites and other arthropods, consisting of fused segments.
Usage: paleontology; zoology; technical
Examples
- The trilobite's pygidia were well-preserved in the fossil record.
- Paleontologists examined the pygidia to classify the ancient arthropod species.
- The segmented pygidia of trilobites helped them curl into a protective ball.
- Different trilobite families showed distinct pygidial morphologies.