heterocercal

[ het-er-uh-sur-kuhl ]

adjective

, Ichthyology.

1. having an unequally divided tail, characteristic of sharks, rays, and skates.

heterocercal

/ ˌhɛtərəʊˈsɜːkəl /

adjective

1. ichthyol of or possessing a tail in which the vertebral column turns upwards and extends into the upper, usually larger, lobe, as in sharks Compare homocercal

Other Words From

• het·er·o·cer·cal·i·ty [het-er-oh-ser-, kal, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterocercal¹

1830–40; hetero- + Greek kérk ( os ) a tail + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterocercal¹

C19: from hetero- + Greek kerkos tail

Example Sentences

They have small scales, a heterocercal tail, and two dorsal fins with a strong spine in front.

From Project Gutenberg

Their tails, too, though both heterocercal, were diverse in their type.

From Project Gutenberg

This so called heterocercal tail is only known to exist, as a permanent adult feature, in the sturgeons of to-day.

From Project Gutenberg