homocercal

9.9

With a tail whose upper and lower lobes are the same and extend past the backbone, like most bony fish

adjective
/ˌhoʊmoʊˈsɜrkəl/

Specialized

: homoceral

The trout has a homocercal tail that helps it swim efficiently.

Examples

Most modern bony fish have a homocercal tail, which aids in efficient swimming.
The homocercal tail distinguishes these fish from older lineages with asymmetrical tails.
Scientists noted the homocercal shape in the fossilized specimen's caudal fin.
Many species of bony fish feature a homocercal tail.
Most modern bony fish have a homocercal tail, which aids in efficient swimming.
The homocercal tail distinguishes these fish from older lineages with asymmetrical tails.
Many species of bony fish feature a homocercal tail that enhances their swimming abilities.

Antonyms

heterocercal

Specialized

9.9

A fish tail with the top part larger than the bottom and the backbone reaching into the upper part

Compounds

homocercal fin

Specialized

9.9

A tail fin that is the same on both sides and extends past the spine, seen in most bony fish

How Symmetrical

homocercal

Specialized

9.9

heterocercal

Specialized

9.9

Surface Forms

homocercal positive

Morphology

homocercal = cercal (semi-transparent) = homo + cerc + al

The prefix 'homo-' clearly signals 'same', but the stem 'cercal' is a technical/rare biological term for 'tail', so the full meaning is only partially accessible to general learners.

Etymology

Homocercal combines homo- 'same' (as in homogeneous) and -cercal from a Greek word for 'tail'. So homocercal literally means 'same tail', which helps you remember it describes a fish tail whose top and bottom parts are the same shape.