Acaudal

/eɪˈkɔː.dəl/ adjective

Definition

Lacking a tail or having no tail-like appendage.

Etymology

From Latin 'a-' (without) + 'cauda' (tail). The 'cauda' root comes from Latin and is used in anatomy and zoology. '-al' is an adjectival suffix meaning 'relating to' or 'having the nature of.'

Kelly Says

Scientists use 'acaudal' to describe tailless animals and creatures that lose their tails during evolution—it's why some human embryos briefly show tail-like structures that disappear, and why we're technically 'acaudal primates' compared to our monkey cousins!

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