Definition

1. Noun:
   • A common North American freshwater fish: "Notropis cornutus" is the scientific name for a specific species of small fish commonly known as the common shiner. It is a member of the minnow family (Cyprinidae).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The stream was teeming with Notropis cornutus. (The stream was full of common shiners.)
  • Biologists studied the spawning behavior of Notropis cornutus. (Biologists studied the spawning behavior of the common shiner.)

Advanced Usage

• In taxonomic or scientific contexts: The term "Notropis cornutus" is used primarily in formal biological, ecological, or ichthyological writing to specify the species with precision, distinguishing it from other shiners.
  • The specimen was keyed out as Notropis cornutus. (The specimen was identified as the common shiner.)

Variants and Related Words

• Common shiner (n): The standard common name for .
  • Anglers often use the common shiner as bait.
• Luxilus cornutus (n): A former or alternative scientific classification for the same species.
• Shiner (n): A general common name for many small, often silvery fish in several genera, including .

Synonyms

• Common shiner: The direct common name equivalent.
• Eastern shiner: A regional name sometimes used.

Notes on Usage

• As a scientific binomial (genus + species), "Notropis cornutus" is always italicized in print. The genus name is capitalized, the species epithet is not.
• In everyday language, the common name "common shiner" is almost always used instead of the scientific name.

Noun

1. the common North American shiner