genus Reithrodontomys
- noun
- /ˈdʒɛnəs ˌriːθroʊˈdɒntəˌmɪs/
- Specialized
- The genus Reithrodontomys includes several species of harvest mice found throughout North and Central America.
Examples
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Biologists have observed that members of the genus Reithrodontomys are primarily nocturnal and have grooved upper incisors.
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Many farmers are familiar with the genus Reithrodontomys because these mice often inhabit agricultural fields.
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The genus Reithrodontomys includes several species of harvest mice.
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Did you know that the genus Reithrodontomys is found in both North and Central America?
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Many farmers are familiar with the genus Reithrodontomys because these mice often inhabit agricultural fields.
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The genus Reithrodontomys includes several species of harvest mice found throughout North and Central America.
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Biologists have observed that members of the genus Reithrodontomys are primarily nocturnal and have grooved upper incisors.
Synonyms
A group of small mice that live in North and Central America
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally built from the noun 'genus' (a taxonomic rank) plus the specific taxon name 'Reithrodontomys' (rodents), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it denotes the taxonomic group of those rodents. Scientific Latin names function the same way across languages, making the relation predictable rather than idiomatic.
Etymology
Genus Reithrodontomys comes from Greek parts: reithro (a groove), odont (meaning 'tooth') and mys (meaning 'mouse'), because these harvest mice have grooved front teeth. So the name points to that clear feature and helps you remember this group of mice from North and Central America.
