diphycercal

[ dif-uh-sur-kuhl ]

adjective

, Ichthyology.

1. having a tail or caudal fin with the spinal column extending horizontally to the end of the tail, characteristic of lungfish, several other primitive fishes, and the juvenile stage of modern bony fishes.

diphycercal

/ ˌdɪfɪˈsɜːkəl /

adjective

1. ichthyol of or possessing a symmetrical or pointed tail with the vertebral column extending to the tip, as in primitive fishes

Word History and Origins

Origin of diphycercal¹

diphy- double ( diphyodont ) + Greek kérk(os) a tail + -al ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of diphycercal¹

C19: from Greek diphuēs twofold (from di ¹+ phuē growth) + kerkos tail

Example Sentences

In Dipterus there are no marginal teeth, and the tail is heterocercal, not diphycercal, as in the other Dipnoans generally.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Ctenodontidæ the tail is diphycercal, and no jugular plates are present in the known specimens.

From Project Gutenberg

The tail is diphycercal in all, ending in a long point, and the body is covered with cycloid scales.

From Project Gutenberg

The tail is heterocercal, but in some cases (Squatina) approaches the diphycercal condition.

From Project Gutenberg

The blade of the caudal fin is then divided into two nearly equal portions, and is said to be diphycercal.

From Project Gutenberg