proboscides

Proboscides (singular: proboscis) are elongated, often tubular appendages that function as feeding or sensory organs in a wide range of animals. The term derives from the Greek proboskis, meaning “forepart” or “snout.” In zoological usage, proboscides describe structures as diverse as the trunk of an elephant and the nectar-feeding tube of a moth, as well as external prey-capturing organs in invertebrates.

In mammals, the best-known example is the elephant trunk, a muscular, highly versatile proboscis used for breathing, smelling, touching, grasping, and funneling water or food to the mouth. Insects commonly have a proboscis formed by modified mouthparts; in Lepidoptera, the long coiled proboscis functions to siphon nectar, while other groups use piercing-sucking or sponging forms to obtain fluids.

In invertebrates, proboscides are often eversible or extensible feeding or predatory organs. For example, some nemertean worms possess a eversible proboscis armed with toxins or stylets to seize prey; sipunculans have a retractable introvert or proboscis used in feeding and burrowing.

Across taxa, proboscides illustrate convergent evolution toward elongated, specialized organs serving feeding, respiration, sensation, or prey capture. The plural form proboscides is commonly used in scientific texts, though proboscises is also encountered.