Scaphirhynchus, from Ancient Greek σκάφη (skáphe), meaning "shovel", and ῥύγχος (rhúnkos), meaning "snout", is a genus of sturgeons native to North America. All species in this genus are considered to be threatened with extinction or worse. As of 2023, the pallid sturgeon (S. albus) and the Alabama sturgeon (S. suttkusi) are critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The genus name Scaphirhynchus from Ancient Greek σκάφη (skáphe), meaning "shovel", and ῥύγχος (rhúnkos), meaning "snout", referring to their flat, shovel-shaped snout.
Distribution Member species are found in the Mississippi, Missouri, and Alabama Rivers.
Species Currently, three species in this genus are recognized: +ImageSpeciesCommon nameScaphirhynchus albus (S. A. Forbes & R. E. Richardson, 1905)pallid sturgeonScaphirhynchus platorynchus (Rafinesque, 1820)shovelnose sturgeonScaphirhynchus suttkusi J. D. Williams & Clemmer, 1991Alabama sturgeon
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