Family HIODONTIDAE Valenciennes 1847 (Mooneyes)

Revised 27 Oct. 2023
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Hiodon Lesueur 1818 hio-, from hyoeidḗs (Gr. ὑοειδής), shaped like the letter Ypsilon, referring to ϒ-shaped hyoid bone forming base of tongue of H. tergisus; odon Latinized and grammatically adjusted from the Greek nominative ὀδούς (odoús), tooth, referring to “strong teeth” on tongue

Hiodon alosoides (Rafinesque 1819) -oides, Neo-Latin from eí̄dos (Gr. εἶδος), form or shape: alosa, from alausa, Latin name for Allis Shad Alosa alosa (Alosidae) from the river Moselle in Germany, referring to its shad-like appearance and common name “shad” in early 19th-century Ohio (USA)

Hiodon tergisus Lesueur 1818 Latin for polished, probably referring to its silvery sides (i.e., like polished silver)