family Lucanidae

9.6

A group of beetles with very large jaws, called stag beetles

noun
/ˈfæmɪli luˈkeɪnɪdi/

Specialized

: familia Lucanidae

Many species in the family Lucanidae exhibit remarkable sexual dimorphism, with males often having much larger mandibles than females.

Examples

The family Lucanidae includes some of the largest beetles in the world.
Many members of the family Lucanidae are prized by insect collectors for their striking appearance.
Entomologists often study family Lucanidae to understand the evolution of beetle mandibles.
The family Lucanidae includes many fascinating species.
Did you know that the family Lucanidae has over 1,200 species?
Research shows that the family Lucanidae plays a significant role in its ecosystem as decomposers and pollinators.
In gardens, beetles from the family Lucanidae can sometimes be seen contributing to the biodiversity in the area.

Synonyms

Lucanidae

vsfamily Lucanidae

Specialized

9.9

A group of large beetles with strong bodies and big jaws, often called stag beetles

emphasizes the taxonomic placement in the beetle order rather than body form

Surface Forms

family Lucanidae singular

families Lucanidae plural

Morphology

family + Lucanidae

This is a straightforward taxonomic noun phrase: 'family' (a scientific grouping) combined with the proper name 'Lucanidae' denotes that beetle family. The composition follows normal naming conventions used across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the meaning.

Etymology

Family Lucanidae comes from the older scientific name Lucanus, which originally meant 'from Lucania', a region in Italy. So family Lucanidae simply names the group of beetles related to Lucanus, the stag beetles known for their big jaws.