Clupea

/ˈkluːpiə/ noun

Definition

The scientific genus name for herrings, a group of small schooling fish with silvery bodies that are important food fish worldwide.

Etymology

From Latin 'clupea,' the classical name for herring or similar fish. This Linnaean taxonomy term has been used in scientific nomenclature since Carl Linnaeus formalized biological classification in the 18th century.

Kelly Says

Clupea is the scientific name that makes herring official—every herring you've ever eaten was taxonomically a member of the genus Clupea, and the name goes back to ancient Roman times when people were already fishing them extensively!

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