The inner branch of a biramous (two-branched) appendage in crustaceans, used for walking or feeding.
From endopod + -ite (noun suffix indicating a component or part). Both endopodite and endopod are used interchangeably in carcinology (crustacean science).
A lobster's walking legs are marvels of evolutionary engineering—each endopodite is loaded with sensory hairs that let it taste and feel food before its mouth even gets there.
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