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Glite Dictionary
Canis mesomelas

Canis mesomelas

9.9
A small wild dog from southern Africa with a black stripe on its back
  • noun
  • /ˈkeɪnɪs ˌmɛzoʊˈmɛləs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : chacal de lomo negro
  • Unlike other jackals, the Canis mesomelas is recognized for the distinctive black stripe along its back.

Examples

  • The Canis mesomelas is commonly seen in savannas and open grasslands of southern Africa.

  • Researchers observed a Canis mesomelas hunting in a small pack near the border of the reserve.

  • Look! A Canis mesomelas!

  • The Canis mesomelas is often found in savannas.

  • Researchers observed a Canis mesomelas hunting in a small pack near the border of the reserve.

  • The Canis mesomelas is commonly seen in savannas and open grasslands of southern Africa.

  • Unlike other jackals, the Canis mesomelas is recognized for the distinctive black stripe along its back.

Synonyms

black-backed jackal
vsCanis mesomelas
  • South African
8.3

A small wild dog with black fur on its back and shoulders that lives in Africa

is the formal scientific name used instead of the common name

Surface Forms

Canis mesomelas singular
Canis mesomelas plural

Morphology

Canis + mesomelas

This is a scientific Latin binomial: while 'Canis' signals a canid genus, 'mesomelas' is not a standard English word (marked as not found) and its meaning ('black-backed') is not recoverable by an average B1 learner. Taxonomic Latin names are specialized and rely on classical roots or memorization, so the overall referent ('black-backed jackal') is not derivable from the parts for typical learners.

Etymology

Canis mesomelas comes from Greek parts: meso ('middle') and melas ('black'). The name points to the black stripe along the middle of the animal's back, so it is easy to remember as the 'black-backed jackal'.