genus Xiphophorus

9.6

A group of small freshwater fish from Central America like swordtails and platies kept in aquariums

noun
/ˈdʒɛnəs zɪfəˈfɔrəs/

Specialized

: género Xiphophorus

Swordtail fish, belonging to the genus Xiphophorus, are known for their distinctive tail shape.

Examples

The genus Xiphophorus includes several species prized by aquarium hobbyists.
Many aquarists prefer fish from the genus Xiphophorus.
Many biologists study the genetics of fish in the genus Xiphophorus.
The genus Xiphophorus includes several species of colorful fish.
Swordtail fish, belonging to the genus Xiphophorus, are known for their distinctive tail shape.
The genus Xiphophorus includes several species prized by aquarium hobbyists.
Many biologists study the genetics of fish in the genus Xiphophorus.

Synonyms

Xyphophorus

vsgenus Xiphophorus

Specialized

9.9

Small freshwater fish that give birth to live young and are kept in aquariums like swordtails and platies

is native only to Central America rather than a wider North and Central range

Surface Forms

genus Xiphophorus singular

genera Xiphophorus plural

Morphology

genus + Xiphophorus

The structure 'genus + proper name' is compositionally regular: a learner who knows 'genus' and treats Xiphophorus as a taxonomic name can infer this denotes a biological group called Xiphophorus. However, the crucial content (that it refers specifically to freshwater fish, swordtails and platies) is encoded in the specialized Latin name and not recoverable from the constituents alone, so the meaning is only partly derivable.

Etymology

Genus Xiphophorus comes from old word parts xipho- meaning 'sword' and -phorus meaning 'to carry', because male swordtails have a long, sword-like tail. That's why the name refers to a group of small freshwater fish, including the swordtails and platies.