homocercal

[hoh-muh-sur-kuhl, hom-uh-]

adjective

Ichthyology.

1. having an equally divided tail, characteristic of adult modern bony fishes.

homocercal

/ ˌhɒm-, ˌhəʊməʊˈsɜːkəl /

adjective

1. ichthyol of or possessing a symmetrical tail that extends beyond the end of the vertebral column, as in most bony fishes Compare heterocercal

Other Word Forms

• homocercy noun
• homocercality noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of homocercal¹

1830–40; homo- + cerc- (< Greek kérkos tail) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of homocercal¹

C19: from _homo- + Greek kerkos tail

Example Sentences

This type of caudal fin must be regarded as secondary, the Gadidae being, no doubt, derived from fishes in which the homocercal fin of the typical Teleostean had been lost.

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It characterises the earlier periods of the earth's history, whereas in the secondary strata, or those newer than the Permian, the homocercal tail predominates.

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