\Tec`ti*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L.
tectus (p. p. of tegere to cover) + Gr. ? a gill.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order, or suborder, of gastropod Mollusca in which the
gills are usually situated on one side of the back, and
protected by a fold of the mantle. When there is a shell, it
is usually thin and delicate and often rudimentary. The
aplysias and the bubble shells are examples.