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Glite Dictionary
genus Apteryx

genus Apteryx

9.5
A group of flightless kiwi birds from New Zealand
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ˈæptərɪks/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Apteryx
  • The genus Apteryx includes all living species of kiwi birds.

Examples

  • Unlike most birds, members of the genus Apteryx have tiny vestigial wings and no ability to fly.

  • Scientists are studying the genetics of the genus Apteryx to understand its unique evolution.

  • The genus Apteryx includes several species of kiwi.

  • Did you know that the genus Apteryx is unique to New Zealand?

  • The genus Apteryx includes several species of kiwis, which are unique to New Zealand.

  • Researchers are studying the genus Apteryx to learn more about the evolution of flightless birds.

  • Birdwatchers hope to spot a rare species from the genus Apteryx during their trip to New Zealand.

Synonyms

apteryx
vsgenus Apteryx
9.9

A small flightless bird from New Zealand that is active at night and has a long beak

is the taxonomic group that includes all related New Zealand flightless birds

Surface Forms

genus Apteryx singular
genera Apteryx plural

Morphology

genus + apteryx

This phrase is directly compositional: 'genus' names the taxonomic rank and 'Apteryx' is the name of the bird group (kiwi), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to the taxonomic genus containing Apteryx species. Taxonomic formulations like 'genus X' are cross-linguistically regular and follow predictable naming conventions, making the meaning transparent to B1 learners who know the constituents.

Etymology

Genus Apteryx comes from old Greek words: a- meaning 'without' and pteryx meaning 'wing'. So it literally names the group of 'wingless' birds, the kiwis, which cannot fly.