genus Iguanodon
- noun
- /ˈdʒɛnəs ɪɡwɑːnəˌdɒn/
- Specialized
- The genus Iguanodon is known for its distinctive thumb spikes and was among the first dinosaurs to be discovered.
Examples
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Scientists have unearthed many fossils belonging to the genus Iguanodon across Europe.
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The genus Iguanodon includes several species of large herbivorous dinosaurs.
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The classification of the genus Iguanodon has been revised several times as new discoveries are made.
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Did you know that the genus Iguanodon was one of the first dinosaurs to be named?
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The genus Iguanodon is well-known for its large herbivorous species that roamed during the Early Cretaceous period.
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Many paleontologists study the genus Iguanodon to better understand the evolution of herbivorous dinosaurs.
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Fossils from the genus Iguanodon have been found in several countries across Europe, showcasing its wide distribution.
Synonyms
2
9.9
A large plant-eating dinosaur with a long heavy tail and a spike on each thumb
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines the noun 'genus' (a biological rank) with the specific name 'Iguanodon', so its meaning—'the taxonomic genus called Iguanodon'—is directly derivable from the constituents. This composition follows common scientific naming patterns found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words and the basic idea of biological ranks should understand it.
Etymology
Genus Iguanodon is the scientific name for the group named after the dinosaur Iguanodon. Early scientists gave the dinosaur this name because its teeth looked like an iguana's, so the name literally means 'iguana tooth' and shows that this genus is the main example of that group.