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Glite Dictionary
genus Alca

genus Alca

9.9
A group of seabirds that has only one living species, the razorbill
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ˈæl.kə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Alca
  • The genus Alca contains only one living species, the razorbill.

Examples

  • The genus Alca includes the razorbill.

  • Researchers have studied the plumage of birds in the genus Alca for centuries.

  • Fossil records suggest that extinct relatives of genus Alca inhabited the North Atlantic.

  • Did you know that genus Alca is classified under Alcidae?

  • The genus Alca includes only the razorbill, a bird found primarily in colder waters.

  • Species belonging to the genus Alca are known for their unique diving abilities.

  • Biologists classify the razorbill as the sole representative of the genus Alca.

Synonyms

Alca
vsgenus Alca
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of seabirds that has only the razorbill, a diving bird of the North Atlantic

is the formally designated type genus of the family rather than a general genus

Surface Forms

genus Alca singular
genera Alca plural

Morphology

genus + Alca

The phrase 'genus Alca' is a transparent combination of the biological rank 'genus' and the proper name 'Alca' (the named genus). If a learner knows both constituent meanings, the overall meaning — the genus called Alca, containing the razorbill — follows directly and is immediately comprehensible, as this noun + name composition is a standard, cross-linguistic pattern.

Etymology

Genus Alca comes from an old word sailors and fishermen used for the sea bird called an 'auk'. Scientists used that word, Alca, as the genus name, so genus Alca today means the group that contains the 'razorbill'.