shortnose

Shortnose is a descriptive common name used for several animal species that have relatively short noses or snouts compared with related relatives. It is not a formal taxonomic group, but a label that appears in field guides, conservation lists, and casual references when a shorter rostrum or snout is a noticeable characteristic.

One well-known example is the shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus), a North American freshwater fish. The short rostrum distinguishes it from other gar species, and it occupies a variety of aquatic habitats, including rivers, backwaters, and marshy areas. As with many gar species, its biology and distribution are best understood through region-specific guides.

Another species associated with the name is the shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostris). This sturgeon is native to estuaries and coastal rivers along the Atlantic coast of North America. It is an anadromous fish that spawns in freshwater. Due to threats such as habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing, it is listed as endangered in the United States, with protective measures in place to aid its recovery.

Outside these examples, the term shortnose may appear in other common names or regional inventories for organisms with shortened noses. When precise identification is required, consult authoritative taxonomic sources to confirm the exact species referred to by the name shortnose.