heterocercal

[ het-er-uh-sur-kuhl ]

adjective

, Ichthyology.

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

heterocercal

/ ˌhɛtərəʊˈsɜːkəl /

adjective

1. See homocercal
   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

The tail is asymmetrical (heterocercal), and numerous placoid scales (dermal denticles) are embedded in the skin.

From Project Gutenberg

The tail is slender and heterocercal, the caudal fin deeply forked.

From Project Gutenberg

The slender body is covered with small scales and ends in a heterocercal tail.

From Project Gutenberg

Jugular plates are present, and the tail is usually distinctly heterocercal.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg