Scaphirhynchus

Scaphirhynchus
Scaphirhynchus albus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acipenseriformes
Family: Acipenseridae
Genus: Scaphirhynchus
Heckel, 1835
Species

See text

Synonyms[1]
  • Scaphirhynchops Gill 1863
  • Parascaphirhynchus Forbes & Richardson 1905

Scaphirhynchus is a genus of sturgeons native to North America. All species in this genus are considered to be threatened with extinction or worse.[2][3][4] As of 2023, the pallid sturgeon (S. albus)[3] and the Alabama sturgeon (S. suttkusi)[4] are critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The etymology of the word Scaphirhynchus is derived from two Greek words, scaphir translating to “boat”, while rhynchus being “snout”. The word rhynchus is used in the scientific name, be it genus or species for many animals, including the duck-billed platypus, ornithorhynchus as its genus, meaning “bird-snout”.

  1. ^ "Acipenseridae" (PDF). Deeplyfish- fishes of the world. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  2. ^ Phelps, Q.; Webb, M. (2022). "Scaphirhynchus platorynchus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T19943A81762958. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T19943A81762958.en. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b Jordan, G.; Nelson-Stastny, W. (2022). "Scaphirhynchus albus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T19940A97435395. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T19940A97435395.en. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b Kuhajda, B.; Rider, S. (2022). "Scaphirhynchus suttkusi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T19942A81759618. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T19942A81759618.en. Retrieved 6 March 2023.