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Glite Dictionary
Discocephali

Discocephali

9.9
A small group of fish with a disk on their heads that they use to attach to larger sea animals
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Discocephali
  • The Discocephali are notable for the specialized suction disks found on the heads of remoras.

Examples

  • Researchers have found that Discocephali can attach to larger marine animals, providing them with a free ride through the ocean.

  • Biologists recently studied the diversity of species within the order Discocephali.

  • The unique reproductive strategies of Discocephali make them an interesting subject in marine biology.

  • Look at that Discocephali!

  • The Discocephali are fascinating creatures found in tropical waters.

  • Marine biologists are studying various species within the order Discocephali due to their unique adaptations.

  • The small fish known as Discocephali are easily recognized by the suction disks on their heads.

Synonyms

remora
vsDiscocephali
3 9.3

A small sea fish with a suction cup on its head that sticks to larger animals like sharks

is a taxonomic group containing those fishes rather than a single species
suckerfish
vsDiscocephali
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A sea fish that uses a flat mouth to hold onto larger animals or objects

focuses specifically on attaching to larger marine animals rather than objects

Surface Forms

Discocephali singular
Discocephali plural

Morphology

Discocephali = Discocephalus (opaque) = disco + cephalus + i

The change from the singular taxonomic form (Discocephalus) to the plural -i is a regular Latin pluralization and thus clear.

Etymology

Discocephali comes from the parts disco- meaning 'disk' and cephal- meaning 'head'. It names fishes called remoras that have a flat, disk-like head they use as a sucker to attach to larger animals, so the name describes their disk head.