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Glite Dictionary
family Cyprinodontidae

family Cyprinodontidae

9.9
A group of small fish with soft fins that includes guppies and swordtails
  • noun
  • /ˈfæmɪli ˌsɪprɪnɒnˈtɪdi/
  • Specialized
: familia Cyprinodontidae
  • The family Cyprinodontidae includes colorful fish like guppies and swordtails that thrive in freshwater environments.

Examples

  • The family Cyprinodontidae includes many species commonly kept in home aquariums.

  • The family Cyprinodontidae includes many popular aquarium fish.

  • Members of the family Cyprinodontidae are found in freshwater and brackish habitats worldwide.

  • Research on the family Cyprinodontidae has provided insights into fish adaptation and evolution.

  • I have always been fascinated by the family Cyprinodontidae.

  • Aquarists often choose species from the family Cyprinodontidae for their vibrant colors and hardiness.

  • Research shows that the family Cyprinodontidae has adapted to diverse aquatic habitats across the globe.

Synonyms

Cyprinodontidae
vsfamily Cyprinodontidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A large group of small freshwater fish like guppies and swordtails

is the same taxonomic group but explicitly called a family

Surface Forms

family Cyprinodontidae singular
families Cyprinodontidae plural

Morphology

family + Cyprinodontidae

The phrase simply labels a taxonomic grouping: 'family' (a scientific grouping) + the taxon name 'Cyprinodontidae' (a group of killifishes, guppies, etc.). A B1 learner who knows 'family' in the biological sense and the referent of the taxon name can derive the meaning directly, so the expression is compositional and transparent.

Etymology

Family Cyprinodontidae comes from the old scientific name Cyprinodon, made from cyprino meaning 'carp' and -odon meaning 'tooth'. So the name gives the picture 'carp-toothed' for these small fishes, and adding the family ending -idae turned it into the name for the whole group.