cladoceran Zoology [ klə'dɒs(ə)r(ə)n ]
■ noun a minute branchiopod crustacean of the order Cladocera, which includes the water fleas.
■ adjective relating to cladocerans.
Origin
from mod. L. Cladocera , from Gk klados 'a branch or root' + keras 'horn' (because of the branched antennae).