What two Greek words form the genus name *Stegostoma*, referencing a key physical trait?
Answer
*stego* (cover) and *stoma* (mouth)
The genus name *Stegostoma* is a compound derived from two Greek words: *stego*, meaning 'cover,' and *stoma*, meaning 'mouth.' This etymological construction directly describes a significant physical attribute of the shark. This attribute is the presence of a thick, membranous bulge situated on the snout region of the shark. This bulge functions visually to conceal or 'cover' the actual mouth opening located underneath it. This feature was deemed important enough by taxonomists to be incorporated into the genus name, linking the scientific label directly to a visible morphological characteristic of the species.
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