heterocercal
[het-er-uh-sur-kuh l]
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adjective Ichthyology.
having an unequally divided tail, characteristic of sharks, rays, and skates.
Compare diphycercal, homocercal.
Origin of heterocercal
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
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 SkeletonSidney 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 EncyclopediaVarious
They have small scales, a heterocercal tail, and two dorsal fins with a strong spine in front.
The New Gresham EncyclopediaVarious
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
heterocercal
adjective
Word Origin for heterocercal
C19: from hetero- + Greek kerkos tail
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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