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family Astacidae

family Astacidae

9.3
A group of freshwater crayfish found in Europe and western North America
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia Astacidae
  • The family Astacidae contains several well-known species of European crayfish.

Examples

  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect endangered crayfish within the family Astacidae.

  • Researchers are studying diseases that affect members of the family Astacidae in freshwater habitats.

  • The family Astacidae includes many species of crayfish.

  • Did you know that the family Astacidae is found in Europe?

  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect endangered crayfish within the family Astacidae.

  • Researchers are studying diseases that affect members of the family Astacidae in freshwater habitats.

  • The family Astacidae contains several well-known species of European crayfish.

Synonyms

Astacidae
vsfamily Astacidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of freshwater crayfish that live in Europe and western North America

specifies it is native and notes membership in the order Decapoda

Surface Forms

Morphology

family + Astacidae

This is a transparent taxonomic noun phrase: 'family' denotes a scientific grouping and 'Astacidae' is the name of that grouping (crayfish), so the meaning is directly compositional. The construction follows standard cross-linguistic biological naming patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand it refers to the crayfish family Astacidae.

Etymology

Family Astacidae comes from the old Greek word 'astakos', which means 'lobster' or 'crayfish'. Scientists use the word family to name a group of related animals, so family Astacidae simply means the group of crayfish species.