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Glite Dictionary
family Potamogalidae

family Potamogalidae

9.9
A group of small mammals that live partly in water in central and western Africa
  • noun
  • Specialized
: familia Potamogalidae
  • The family Potamogalidae includes the three species of otter shrews found in Africa.

Examples

  • Unlike true otters, members of the family Potamogalidae are more closely related to tenrecs.

  • Researchers have studied the family Potamogalidae to better understand the evolution of semi-aquatic mammals.

  • The family Potamogalidae includes unique species like the otter shrew.

  • Did you know that the family Potamogalidae is native to Africa?

  • The family Potamogalidae is known for its distinctive adaptations to a semi-aquatic lifestyle in Africa.

  • Researchers classify the family Potamogalidae as a unique group of mammals that exhibit traits of both otters and shrews.

  • In the family Potamogalidae, the otter shrew is a fascinating example of a semi-aquatic mammal.

Synonyms

Potamogalidae
vsfamily Potamogalidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of small mammals that live partly in water in central and western Africa, called otter shrews

is the same term presented with its taxonomic rank word added

Surface Forms

family Potamogalidae singular
families Potamogalidae plural

Morphology

family + Potamogalidae

This is a straightforward taxonomic noun phrase combining the generic noun 'family' (a grouping of related species) with the proper taxonomic name 'Potamogalidae'. A B1 learner who knows both constituents can directly infer it refers to the taxonomic family of otter shrews, so the meaning is compositionally transparent.

Etymology

Family Potamogalidae comes from Greek parts potamo ('river') and gal ('weasel'). This 'river weasel' image helps you remember that the family includes small, otter-like mammals called otter shrews that live near water in Africa.