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Glite Dictionary
ambystomid

ambystomid

9.9
A medium-sized salamander that lives on land and in water in the Americas
  • noun
  • /æmˈbɪstəˌmɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : salamandra ambystomátida
  • The tiger salamander is a well-known species of ambystomid in North America.

Examples

  • The ambystomid larvae develop in ponds before becoming terrestrial adults.

  • Many ambystomids can be found in moist environments.

  • Researchers studied the habitat preferences of several ambystomid populations in the wetlands.

  • The ambystomid is known for its ability to regenerate lost limbs.

  • Researchers studied the habitat preferences of several ambystomid populations in the wetlands.

  • The ambystomid larvae develop in ponds before becoming terrestrial adults.

  • The tiger salamander is a well-known species of ambystomid in North America.

Synonyms

salamander
vsambystomid
12 4.9

A small animal like a lizard with a long tail that lives on land and returns to water to breed

is narrower, naming a specific family native to the New World
ambystomid salamander
vsambystomid
  • Specialized
9.9

A small to medium amphibian that lives on land or in water in the Americas

has identical meaning but uses New World instead of Americas

Compounds

ambystomid salamander
  • Specialized
9.9

A small to medium amphibian that lives on land or in water in the Americas

Surface Forms

ambystomid singular
ambystomids plural

Morphology

ambystomid = Ambystoma (semi-transparent) = ambystoma + id

Formed from the genus name Ambystoma plus the zoological suffix '-id' to mean a member of that family; the pattern is regular but technical and may be unfamiliar to general learners.

Etymology

Ambystomid comes from the scientific name Ambystoma, which is made from Greek parts amblys ('blunt') and stoma ('mouth') plus the family ending -id that means 'related to'. So an ambystomid is a salamander with a broad, blunt mouth and a member of that family, like the tiger salamander.