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Glite Dictionary
Taricha torosa

Taricha torosa

9.9
A small newt from California with poisonous skin
  • noun
  • /tɑːˈriːkə tɔːˈroʊsə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Taricha torosa
  • The skin of Taricha torosa secretes toxins for defense against predators.

Examples

  • The population of Taricha torosa in Southern California has declined due to habitat loss.

  • The Taricha torosa is often found in California's coastal regions.

  • Researchers studied the breeding habits of Taricha torosa in upland streams.

  • Look at that Taricha torosa swimming in the pond!

  • Researchers studied the breeding habits of Taricha torosa in upland streams.

  • The population of Taricha torosa in Southern California has declined due to habitat loss.

  • The skin of Taricha torosa secretes toxins for defense against predators.

Synonyms

California newt
vsTaricha torosa
  • Specialized
7.2

A small poisonous salamander with rough skin that lives in California

is the scientific Latin name for the same species rather than the everyday name

Surface Forms

Taricha torosa singular
Taricha torosas plural

Morphology

Taricha + torosa

This is a Latin binomial (genus + species) serving as a taxonomic proper name; such labels are arbitrary and not compositional. Even if a learner knew 'Taricha' refers to newts, 'torosa' is not an English lexical item, so the specific meaning 'a particular newt species native to California' cannot be derived from the constituents.

Etymology

Taricha torosa may get its name from two old words: Taricha possibly from a Greek word for 'preserved', giving the image of stiff, wrinkled skin, and torosa from Latin for 'muscular' or 'thick'. That's a helpful image: this 'California newt' is chunky with bumpy skin and makes poison to protect itself.