Abudefduf saxatilis

9.9

A bright tropical fish with black stripes often seen near coral reefs

noun

Specialized

: Abudefduf saxatilis

The Abudefduf saxatilis is often spotted swimming near coral reefs in tropical waters.

Examples

Marine biologists observed a school of Abudefduf saxatilis feeding close to the shore.
Many aquariums feature the Abudefduf saxatilis because of its striking black stripes and vibrant colors.
The Abudefduf saxatilis is often seen in coral reefs.
Did you know that the Abudefduf saxatilis can be aggressive?
Many aquariums feature the Abudefduf saxatilis because of its striking black stripes and vibrant colors.
Marine biologists observed a school of Abudefduf saxatilis feeding close to the shore.
The Abudefduf saxatilis is often spotted swimming near coral reefs in tropical waters.

Synonyms

damselfish

vsAbudefduf saxatilis

1 8.1

A small brightly colored tropical fish that lives on coral reefs

is larger and blue-grey with black stripes rather than small and brightly colored

sergeant major

vsAbudefduf saxatilis

7.9

A blue-grey fish with black stripes that lives in warm shallow seas

is limited to warm seas rather than nearly worldwide

Surface Forms

Abudefduf saxatilis singular

Abudefduf saxatilis plural

Morphology

Abudefduf + saxatilis

This is a Latin taxonomic binomial rather than a compositional English phrase: such scientific names function as arbitrary labels and do not follow normal English semantic composition. Even if a learner knew 'Abudefduf' as a fish genus, the species epithet 'saxatilis' is a Latin label (not transparent to B1 learners) and the specific referent ('sergeant major' damselfish) cannot be derived from the parts, so the expression is opaque.

Etymology

Abudefduf saxatilis is often called the 'sergeant major' because its bold black stripes look like the rank stripes on a soldier's uniform. So the name makes it easy to picture this blue-grey, striped damselfish.