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Glite Dictionary
family Plethodontidae

family Plethodontidae

9.9
A group of small land salamanders that have no lungs as adults and breathe through their skin
  • noun
  • /ˈfæmɪli plɛθɒnˈtɪdeɪ/
  • Specialized
: familia Plethodontidae
  • Unlike other salamanders, members of the family Plethodontidae rely on their skin for respiration.

Examples

  • The family Plethodontidae is notable for its wide diversity and lungless adaptation.

  • Many species in the family Plethodontidae are found in the forests of North America.

  • The family Plethodontidae includes many unique species.

  • Did you know that the family Plethodontidae does not have lungs?

  • In the family Plethodontidae, many salamanders can be found living in damp wooded areas.

  • The family Plethodontidae is known for its members' ability to absorb oxygen through their skin.

  • Adaptations in the family Plethodontidae allow these salamanders to thrive without lungs.

Synonyms

Plethodontidae
vsfamily Plethodontidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small land salamanders from the Americas that have no lungs or gills as adults

is the same but uses the phrase including the taxonomic rank word

Surface Forms

family Plethodontidae singular
families Plethodontidae plural

Morphology

family + Plethodontidae

This is a straightforward compositional noun phrase: 'family' denotes a taxonomic grouping and 'Plethodontidae' is a taxon name, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to the biological family called Plethodontidae. Detailed biological properties (e.g. lungless salamanders) are specialized knowledge, but the core meaning (a family/group named Plethodontidae) is directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Family Plethodontidae groups small land salamanders that have no lungs as adults. Imagine a tiny wet sponge that 'breathes through its skin' — that's why the family name means this 'lungless' group.