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Glite Dictionary
Astacidae

Astacidae

9.9
A group of freshwater crayfish that live in Europe and western North America
  • noun
  • /æstəˈsaɪdi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Astacidae
  • The Astacidae are common in European and North American rivers.

Examples

  • Scientists studied the decline in populations of Astacidae due to water pollution.

  • The Astacidae family includes various species of crayfish.

  • Several species of Astacidae are important in local fisheries.

  • Did you know that Astacidae are primarily found in freshwater?

  • Researchers have observed that Astacidae thrive in clean freshwater habitats.

  • The decline of Astacidae populations can significantly impact the aquatic ecosystem.

  • Many fishermen target Astacidae for their sweet and tender meat.

Synonyms

family Astacidae
vsAstacidae
  • Specialized
9.3

A group of freshwater crayfish found in Europe and western North America

is the family defined by its distribution in Europe and western North America
Old World crayfish
vsAstacidae
  • UK
9.1

Small freshwater animals like lobsters that live in Europe, Asia, and western North America

is the family limited to Europe and western North America rather than Asia

Compounds

family Astacidae
  • Specialized
9.3

A group of freshwater crayfish found in Europe and western North America

Surface Forms

Astacidae singular
Astacidae plural

Morphology

Astacidae = Astacus (opaque) = astac + idae

The word is a specialized taxonomic formation (stem of a genus + the zoological family suffix '-idae'); understanding requires knowledge of scientific naming conventions rather than ordinary English morphology.

Etymology

Astacidae comes from the old Greek word astakos, meaning 'lobster' or 'crayfish', plus the animal-family ending -idae. So Astacidae simply means 'the lobster/crayfish family', which is why it is the name for a family of freshwater crayfish.