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scutellation

American  
[skyoot-l-ay-shuhn] / ˌskjut lˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

Zoology.
  1. a scutellate state or formation; a scaly covering, as on a bird's foot.

  2. an arrangement of scutella or scales.


scutellation British  
/ ˌskjuːtɪˈleɪʃən /

noun

  1. the way in which scales or plates are arranged in an animal

  2. a covering of scales or scutella, as on a bird's leg

"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

Etymology

Origin of scutellation

First recorded in 1870–75; scutell(um) + -ation


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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In other characters of scutellation the specimens are highly variable.

From The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michoacán, México by William E. Duellman

From the other species of Cnemidophorus in Michoacán, C. lineatissimus exoristus can be distinguished by the possession of seven longitudinal stripes in adults and by the characters of scutellation given in Table 5.

From The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michoacán, México by William E. Duellman

The scutellation of the cottonmouth closely resembles that of the other species of Agkistrodon.

From Natural History of Cottonmouth Moccasin, Agkistrodon piscovorus (Reptilia) by Ray D. Burkett

In characters of scutellation specimens from the east are intermediate between C. sacki sacki and C. sacki zweifeli in the Tepalcatepec Valley.

From A New Subspecies of Lizard, Cnemidophorus sacki, from Michoacan, Mexico by William E. Duellman

A wide range of variation in the characters of scutellation is present in specimens from most localities; it shows no significant clinal or geographic trends.

From A Revision of Snakes of the Genus Conophis (Family Colubridae, from Middle America) by John Wellman

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