inequivalve
/ɪnˈɛkwɪvælv/
adjective
- Having two halves (valves) of a shell that are not equal in size or shape, used especially for certain mollusks like oysters and scallops.
- Unlike clams, which are equivalve, scallops are inequivalve and have a distinctive shape.
- Oysters are inequivalve, with one shell larger and more curved than the other.
- The biologist explained that inequivalve shells help some mollusks attach to rocks.