subfamily Malaconotinae

9.9

A group of African birds like bush shrikes that live across Africa

noun

Specialized

: subfamilia Malaconotinae

The subfamily Malaconotinae includes several striking bird species found throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Examples

The subfamily Malaconotinae includes various species of bush shrikes.
Researchers studied the vocalizations unique to the subfamily Malaconotinae to better understand their evolution.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect members of the subfamily Malaconotinae from habitat loss.
Many birds in the subfamily Malaconotinae are found in tropical regions.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect members of the subfamily Malaconotinae from habitat loss.
Researchers studied the vocalizations unique to the subfamily Malaconotinae to better understand their evolution.
The subfamily Malaconotinae includes several striking bird species found throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Synonyms

Malaconotinae

vssubfamily Malaconotinae

Specialized

9.9

A group of small songbirds like shrikes that hunt insects in bushes

focuses on formal placement within the bird family rather than size or behavior

Surface Forms

subfamily Malaconotinae singular

subfamilies Malaconotinae plural

Morphology

subfamily + Malaconotinae

The phrase is compositionally straightforward: 'subfamily' denotes a taxonomic rank and 'Malaconotinae' functions as the proper name of that group. A learner who knows the word 'subfamily' and recognizes Malaconotinae as a taxon-name can infer this refers to a named subgroup of organisms, even if they do not know the specific species involved.

Etymology

Subfamily Malaconotinae comes from old Greek words meaning 'soft' and 'back', shown in the parts malaco- ('soft') and -not- ('back'). So the name helps people picture a small group of African bush shrikes with soft backs and remember that a 'subfamily' is a smaller group inside a larger bird family.