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Glite Dictionary
Tachyglossidae

Tachyglossidae

9.9
A family of egg-laying mammals like echidnas found in Australia and New Guinea
  • noun
  • /ˌtækɪˈɡlɒsɪdi/
  • Specialized
: Tachyglossidae
  • The Tachyglossidae are unique among mammals for laying eggs instead of giving birth to live young.

Examples

  • The Tachyglossidae family includes several species of echidnas.

  • All known species of Tachyglossidae are found in Australia and New Guinea.

  • Scientists study the Tachyglossidae to better understand evolutionary links between reptiles and mammals.

  • Have you ever seen a Tachyglossidae in the wild?

  • All known species of Tachyglossidae are found in Australia and New Guinea.

  • The Tachyglossidae family includes several species of echidnas.

  • Scientists study the Tachyglossidae to better understand evolutionary links between reptiles and mammals.

Surface Forms

Tachyglossidae singular
Tachyglossidaes plural

Morphology

Tachyglossidae = Tachyglossus (opaque) = Tachyglossus + idae

A Latinized scientific family name formed from the genus name plus the taxonomic suffix '-idae'; the components are specialized combining forms and the taxonomic meaning is not derivable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Tachyglossidae comes from the Greek parts tachy- 'fast' and gloss- 'tongue', with -idae showing it is an animal family. It names the family of echidnas, or spiny anteaters, because they use a long, very quick tongue to catch ants, so the name means 'fast-tongued' animals.