Caudate

Definition

Having a tail or tail-like appendage; possessing a distinct cauda or posterior filament. In arthropod morphology, describes structures extending from the terminal abdominal segments, such as cerci, furcula, or elongated terminal filaments. Contrasts with acaudate (tailless).

Etymology

Latin caudatus, from cauda tail

Example

Mayfly nymphs in the family Ephemerellidae (e.g., genus Caudatella) bear caudate gills on abdominal segments, appearing as paired, tail-like filaments alongside the cerci and median caudal filament.

Synonyms

• tailed
• caudatus

Related Terms

• cauda
• cercus
• acaudate
• Furcula
• terminal filament
• uropod

Usage Notes

Used descriptively in taxonomic diagnoses and morphological keys; not a rank-specific term. Distinguish from 'caudate' in vertebrate neuroanatomy (caudate nucleus) or herpetology (salamanders, order Caudata), which are off-domain homonyms.