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Glite Dictionary
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis

Cryptobranchus alleganiensis

9.9
A large salamander that lives in rivers and streams in eastern North America
  • noun
  • /ˌkrɪptoʊˈbræŋkəs ˌæləˌɡænɪˈɛn.sɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
  • The Cryptobranchus alleganiensis is the largest salamander in North America.

Examples

  • Researchers observed several Cryptobranchus alleganiensis in the clear waters of the Appalachian streams.

  • The Cryptobranchus alleganiensis is often found in clean, fast-flowing rivers.

  • Conservationists are working to protect the Cryptobranchus alleganiensis from habitat loss.

  • Have you ever seen a Cryptobranchus alleganiensis in its natural habitat?

  • Conservationists are working to protect the Cryptobranchus alleganiensis from habitat loss.

  • Researchers observed several Cryptobranchus alleganiensis in the clear waters of the Appalachian streams.

  • The Cryptobranchus alleganiensis is the largest salamander in North America.

Synonyms

hellbender
vsCryptobranchus alleganiensis
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A large water salamander with a flat body and wrinkled skin that lives in eastern North American rivers

is the formal scientific name for the same species

Surface Forms

Cryptobranchus alleganiensis singular
Cryptobranchus alleganiensises plural

Morphology

Cryptobranchus + alleganiensis

This is a Latin scientific binomial combining a genus name ('Cryptobranchus' — large salamanders) with a species epithet. Knowing the constituents would let a learner infer it names a particular salamander (so the composition is partly transparent), but the specific sense (the common name 'hellbender' and its habitat/nativity) and the meaning of 'alleganiensis' are not recoverable from everyday English knowledge without biological or Latin background.

Etymology

Cryptobranchus alleganiensis gets its name from old Greek words: Cryptobranchus means 'hidden gill' and alleganiensis points to the 'Allegheny' area where it was first found. That helps you remember this animal is a very large water salamander with loose, folded skin like hidden gills and that it lives in eastern streams.