heterocercal

[het-er-uh-sur-kuh l]

adjective Ichthyology.

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

Compare diphycercal, homocercal.

Origin of heterocercal

1830–40; hetero- + Greek kérk(os) a tail + -al¹

Related formshet·er·o·cer·cal·i·ty

[het-er-oh-ser-kal-i-tee] /ˌhɛt ər oʊ sərˈkæl ɪ ti/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for heterocercal

Historical Examples of heterocercal

The tail may be heterocercal, as in Acipenser, or diphycercal as in Polypterus.
The Vertebrate Skeleton
Sidney H. Reynolds
The caudal fin is at first symmetrical, but a special lower lobe grows out and gives to it a heterocercal character.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume III (of 4)
Francis Maitland Balfour
The tail is asymmetrical (heterocercal), and numerous placoid scales (dermal denticles) are embedded in the skin.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia
Various
They have small scales, a heterocercal tail, and two dorsal fins with a strong spine in front.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia
Various
The heterocercal tail is one in which the hindmost vertebræ are bent upwards.
A Guide to the Study of Fishes, Volume 1 (of 2)
David Starr Jordan

British Dictionary definitions for heterocercal

heterocercal

adjective

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

Word Origin for heterocercal

C19: from hetero- + Greek kerkos tail

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012