Category:Tectibranchiata

Tec`ti*bran`chi*a"ta, n. pl. Etym: [nl., fr. L. tectus (p.p. of Tegere to cover) + gr. (zoöl.)

Defn: an order, or suborder, of gastropod mollusca in which the gills Are usually situated on one side of the back, and protected by a fold Of the mantle. When there is a shell, it is usually thin and delicate And often rudimentary. The aplysias and the bubble shells are Examples.