Definition

Proper noun: - Family Acipenseridae: The biological family comprising sturgeons. These are large, primitive, primarily freshwater and anadromous fish characterized by bony scutes along the body, a heterocercal tail, and a protrusible mouth. They are valued for their roe, which is processed into caviar.

Usage

• The term is used in scientific, zoological, and ichthyological contexts to classify and discuss this specific taxonomic group of fish.
• It is typically used with a singular verb, as it refers to a single taxonomic family.

Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The family Acipenseridae includes some of the most ancient bony fish species.
  • Conservation efforts are crucial for several members of the family Acipenseridae due to overfishing.
  • Beluga sturgeon, a member of the family Acipenseridae, is the source of the most prized caviar.

Advanced Usage

• Taxonomic Hierarchy: In scientific writing, the family name is often placed in a hierarchical context.
  • The order Acipenseriformes contains the family Acipenseridae (sturgeons) and the family Polyodontidae (paddlefish).

Variants and Related Words

• Acipenseridae: The identical, non-prefixed form of the family name, equally common in scientific literature.
• Sturgeon (n): The common name for any fish belonging to the family Acipenseridae.
• Acipenser (n): The genus within the family Acipenseridae that includes many common sturgeon species, such as the Atlantic sturgeon ().

Synonyms

• Sturgeon family: A descriptive, non-scientific synonym.
• No direct single-word synonyms exist, as it is a precise taxonomic identifier.

Related Idioms or Phrases

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs associated with this specific scientific term.

Noun

1. sturgeons