Anoplocephala
|a-nop-lo-ce-pha-la|
/ˌænəpləˈsɛfələ/
unarmed head (taxonomic genus name for tapeworms)
Etymology
'Anoplocephala' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'anoplos' and 'kephale', where 'anoplos' meant 'unarmed' and 'kephale' meant 'head'.
'Anoplocephala' was formed in New Latin (scientific Latin) from these Greek roots and established as a zoological genus name in modern taxonomic literature (19th century onwards).
Initially the components meant 'unarmed head', but over time the combined form came to be used specifically as the taxonomic name for a genus of tapeworms.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a genus of tapeworms (family Anoplocephalidae) that parasitize horses and other mammals.
Anoplocephala is commonly found in horses and can cause colic in heavy infestations.
Last updated: 2025/09/27 03:03