noun
- A stiff hair-like structure or bristle found on the bodies of certain invertebrate animals, especially annelid worms and arthropods.
Usage: biology; zoology; plural: chaetae
Examples
- The polychaete worm uses its chaetae to anchor itself in the seafloor.
- Each segment of the earthworm is equipped with chaetae that aid in locomotion.
- Under the microscope, the chaetae of the marine worm appeared as delicate, pointed structures.
- The chaetae help the organism grip surfaces as it moves through soil.
- Scientists examined the arrangement of chaetae to classify the species.