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Glite Dictionary
genus Pholas

genus Pholas

9.9
A group of sea clams that make holes in wood and rock
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ˈfoʊləs/
  • Specialized
: género Pholas
  • The genus Pholas includes several species of marine bivalves that bore into wood and rock.

Examples

  • The genus Pholas includes several species of piddocks.

  • Specimens of genus Pholas are often studied for their unique boring behavior.

  • Researchers discovered a new species within the genus Pholas along the coast.

  • Did you know that genus Pholas is known for burrowing into rocks?

  • Researchers discovered a new species within the genus Pholas along the coast.

  • Specimens of genus Pholas are often studied for their unique boring behavior.

  • The genus Pholas includes several species of marine bivalves that bore into wood and rock.

Synonyms

Pholas
vsgenus Pholas
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea animal with two shells that makes holes in wood or soft rock

is named as the family's type genus rather than focusing on boring behavior

Surface Forms

genus Pholas singular
genera Pholas plural

Morphology

genus + Pholas

The meaning is literally the biological category 'genus' identified by the name 'Pholas', so a learner who knows 'genus' (a taxonomic rank) and recognizes 'Pholas' as the name will readily infer it refers to that genus of mollusks. Taxonomic noun + proper-name combinations are compositional and follow a cross-linguistically common naming pattern, making this expression transparent to learners who know the constituents.

Etymology

Genus Pholas names a group of piddocks, small shellfish that drill into wood and soft rock. The name may come from an old word for 'borer' because these animals literally bore into wood and stone, so genus Pholas makes you think of their drilling habit.