family Aplysiidae

9.9

A group of large sea animals like slugs with soft bodies called sea hares

noun

Specialized

: familia Aplysiidae

The family Aplysiidae includes several species of sea hares found in temperate and tropical oceans.

Examples

Some members of the family Aplysiidae can release a purple ink as a defense mechanism when threatened.
Many marine biologists study the nervous system of animals in the family Aplysiidae because of their large neurons.
The family Aplysiidae includes fascinating marine creatures.
Did you know that the family Aplysiidae can change color?
Many marine biologists study the nervous system of animals in the family Aplysiidae because of their large neurons.
Some members of the family Aplysiidae can release a purple ink as a defense mechanism when threatened.
The family Aplysiidae includes several species of sea hares found in temperate and tropical oceans.

Synonyms

Aplysiidae

vsfamily Aplysiidae

Specialized

9.9

A group of large sea slugs called sea hares that have soft bodies and winglike flaps

focuses on two head rhinophores rather than winglike extensions

Surface Forms

family Aplysiidae singular

families Aplysiidae plural

Morphology

family + Aplysiidae

The phrase is compositional: 'family' (a scientific grouping) combined with the taxon name 'Aplysiidae' directly denotes the taxonomic family consisting of those marine mollusks. If a B1 learner knows both constituents (and that Aplysiidae refers to sea hares), the overall meaning is immediately derivable; taxonomic 'family + name' constructions are common cross-linguistically.

Etymology

Family Aplysiidae names a group of sea animals known as sea hares because they have two soft, ear-like tentacles on their head that look like 'rabbit ears'. So the name points to a family of soft sea slugs with those two head tentacles and, in some species, a purple ink used for defense.