Acipenser (asipenser)

[L., also spelled aquipenser and acipensis (>Gr. ἀκκιπήσιος), the sturgeon; perhaps IMG:content-0184.png:[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small] Skull of Sturgeon ( Acipenser ), top and side views. Above, the cartilaginous cranium, shaded, is supposed to be seen through the unshaded cranial bones. Upper figure: a, ridge formed by spinous proce es of vertebræ; b, b, lateral wing-like proce es; c, rostrum; An , site of auditory organ; Na , of nasal sacs; Or , of orbit. The membrane bones of the upper surface are: A , analogue of supra occipital; B , B , of the epiotics; E , of ethmoid; G , G , of the post frontals; H, H , of the prefrontals; C , C , of the parietals; D , Dare the frontals, and F , F the squamosals; A, anterior dermal scute; 1, I, L , I , dermal o ifications connecting the pectoral arch with the skull. Lower figure: a , rostrum; 6 , nasal chamber; c , auditory region; d , coalesced anterior vertebrae; e, ribs: f, g , h, suspensorium; 2, palato-maxillary apparatus; Mn , mandible; Or , orbit. ordinary sturgeons (and with the shovel-nosed sturgeons, Scaphirhynchops , the only other genus, composing the family), characterized by the flattened tapering snout, a spiracle over each eye, and 5 distinct rows of bony plates. The common sturgeon, A. sturio , is found both in Europe and North America; it sometimes attains a length of 18 feet. The green sturgeon of the Pacific coast is A. medirostris. The European sterlet is A. ruthenus . The largest known species is the Ru ian sturgeon, the bielaga, huso, or hausen, A. huso , sometimes attaining a length of 25 feet and a weight of 3000 pounds. A. güldenstädti is a fourth example, known as the o eter. Also often spelled Accipenser . The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: Dictionary Acipenseres