| 释义 |
‖ protopterus Ichth.|prəʊˈtɒptərəs|
[mod.L. generic name (Owen, 1837), f. Gr. πρωτο- proto- + πτερ-όν wing (taken in sense ‘fin’).]
A genus of dipnoan fishes, formerly included in Lepidosiren, containing only the African mud-fish (P. annectens); characterized by having the pectoral and ventral fins reduced to long fringed filaments; also, a fish of this genus.
1837Owen in MS. Catal. Museum of Coll. Surg. (June) Protopterus. 1841Penny Cycl. XIX. 59/2. 1854 Owen Skel. & Teeth in Orr's Circ. Sc. I. Org. Nat. 186 The protopterus and lepidosiren, which are the most reptile-like of fishes. 1894Daily News 10 Apr. 5/4 The biggest protopterus at the Zoo is not more than two feet long.
Hence proˈtopteran, adj. of the nature of a Protopterus; having a primitive or simple type of fin; n. a fish of the order Protopteri (a synonym of Dipnoi); ‖ protopter |prəʊˈtɒptər| [= Fr. protoptère] = prec. n.; proˈtopterous = prec. adj. |