genus Carcharhinus
- noun
- /ˈdʒɛnəs kɑrˈkɛrɪnəs/
- Specialized
:
género Carcharhinus
- The genus Carcharhinus includes many of the most commonly recognized sharks, such as the bull shark and the blacktip shark.
Examples
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Members of the genus Carcharhinus are often distinguished by their streamlined bodies and prominent dorsal fins.
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Marine biologists are studying how certain species within the genus Carcharhinus adapt to different coastal habitats.
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The genus Carcharhinus includes many species of sharks.
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Have you studied the genus Carcharhinus before?
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Marine biologists are studying how certain species within the genus Carcharhinus adapt to different coastal habitats.
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Members of the genus Carcharhinus are often distinguished by their streamlined bodies and prominent dorsal fins.
-
The genus Carcharhinus includes many of the most commonly recognized sharks, such as the bull shark and the blacktip shark.
Synonyms
A group of common sharks like the bull and blacktip shark found in warm coastal waters
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is fully compositional: 'genus' names a biological rank and 'Carcharhinus' is the proper name of that genus, so the combined meaning ('the genus called Carcharhinus, a group of related species') is directly derivable from the parts. Taxonomic rank + name constructions are cross-linguistically common, so a learner who knows both constituents would readily understand this expression.
Etymology
Genus Carcharhinus may come from old Greek parts carchar- meaning 'jagged' and -rhinus meaning 'nose'. The image of a shark with a pointed nose and sharp teeth helps explain why scientists used this name for a group of common 'shark' species.
