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Glite Dictionary
Ailuropodidae

Ailuropodidae

9.9
A group of mammals that includes the giant panda and some extinct relatives
  • noun
  • /ˌaɪlʊrəˈpɒdɪdi/
  • Specialized
: Ailuropodidae
  • The Ailuropodidae family includes the giant panda.

Examples

  • Some taxonomists classify the giant panda in its own family, Ailuropodidae, instead of grouping it with bears.

  • The Ailuropodidae are often recognized as a distinct family due to the unique characteristics of giant pandas.

  • Research on the evolutionary history of Ailuropodidae has provided insight into panda adaptations.

  • Did you know that Ailuropodidae are often called bear cats?

  • The family of mammals known as Ailuropodidae is famous for including the giant panda.

  • Scientists study Ailuropodidae to understand the evolution and behavior of giant pandas.

  • Many people may not realize that Ailuropodidae includes both living and extinct species related to the giant panda.

Surface Forms

Ailuropodidae singular
Ailuropodidae plural

Morphology

Ailuropodidae = Ailuropoda (opaque) = Ailuropoda + idae

Formation from a genus name using the standard zoological family suffix '-idae' is morphologically regular, but it requires taxonomic knowledge and the genus name is not interpretable to general learners.

Etymology

Ailuropodidae comes from Greek parts: ailuro- meaning 'cat' and -pod- meaning 'foot', with the animal family ending -idae. So it literally suggests a 'cat-foot family' and is the scientific family name for the giant panda and its relatives. A helpful memory trick is that -pod- is the same 'foot' seen in words like octopus, which makes the 'foot' part easier to remember.