protopodite

[ proh-top-uh-dahyt ]

/ proʊˈtɒp əˌdaɪt /

the basal portion of a two-branched crustacean leg or other appendage.

Also pro·to·pod

[proh-tuh-pod] /ˈproʊ təˌpɒd/.

Compare endopodite, exopodite.

Origin of protopodite

First recorded in 1865–70; proto- + pod- + -ite¹

pro·top·o·dit·ic

[pruh-top-uh-dit-ik] /prəˌtɒp əˈdɪt ɪk/, adjective

The protopodite consists of two segments, the first very short, and the second much longer.

The Life of Crustacea |William Thomas Calman
The exopodite springs from the basipodite and that segment is closely joined to the coxopodite, producing a protopodite.

The Appendages, Anatomy, and Relationships of Trilobites |Percy Edward Raymond
Protopodite, endopodite, exopodite, and epipodite were considered to be the morphological units of the crustacean limb.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 6 |Various
The coxopodite does not correspond to the protopodite of higher Crustacea, the basipodite remaining as a separate entity.

The Appendages, Anatomy, and Relationships of Trilobites |Percy Edward Raymond

The chelæ were measured from the inner angle of the joint of the protopodite to the angle of articulation with the dactylopodite.

Harvard Psychological Studies, Volume 1 |Various