acaudal
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lacking a tail or taillike appendage: Describes an organism or structure that does not possess a tail or any appendage resembling a tail.
Usage
- The word "acaudal" is a specialized biological and anatomical term. It is primarily used in scientific contexts, such as zoology, comparative anatomy, or embryology, to describe species or developmental stages that are naturally tailless.
- It is the direct antonym of "caudate" (having a tail).
- It is a formal, technical adjective and is not commonly used in everyday conversation.
Examples
- Adjective:
- Humans and other great apes are acaudal primates.
- The acaudal embryo showed no development of a tail bud.
- Frogs are acaudal as adults, though they possess tails as tadpoles.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used in a comparative sense within evolutionary biology or taxonomy to highlight a distinguishing characteristic.
- The fossil record suggests this lineage became acaudal approximately 25 million years ago.
Variants and Related Words
- Acaudate (adj.): A synonym with identical meaning ("lacking a tail").
- The researcher noted the acaudate condition of the specimen.
- Caudal (adj.): Pertaining to the tail or the posterior part of the body.
- Caudate (adj.): Having a tail or a tail-like appendage.
Synonyms
- Tailless
- Anurous (specifically for tailless amphibians like frogs and toads)
Antonyms
- Caudate
- Tailed
Adjective
- lacking a tail or taillike appendage