Scaphirhynchus, from Ancient Greek ÃÂúìÃÂ÷ (skáphe), meaning "shovel", and á¿¥ÃÂóÃÂÿà(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 ÃÂúìÃÂ÷ (skáphe), meaning "shovel", and á¿¥ÃÂóÃÂÿà(rhúnkos), meaning "snout", referring to their flat, shovel-shaped snout.
Member species are found in the Mississippi, Missouri, and Alabama Rivers.
Currently, three species in this genus are recognized: