suborder Brachyura
- noun
- /ˈsʌbˌɔrdər ˈbrækɪjʊrə/
- Specialized
- The suborder Brachyura includes most of the crabs commonly found along the coast.
Examples
-
Did you know that the suborder Brachyura has over 6,800 species?
-
Biologists classify the blue crab within the suborder Brachyura.
-
Research on the suborder Brachyura reveals a wide range of adaptations for life in various habitats.
-
The suborder Brachyura includes various species of crabs.
-
Biologists classify the blue crab within the suborder Brachyura.
-
The suborder Brachyura includes most of the crabs commonly found along the coast.
-
Research on the suborder Brachyura reveals a wide range of adaptations for life in various habitats.
Synonyms
A group of animals like true crabs with short tails folded under their bodies
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'suborder' names a taxonomic rank and 'Brachyura' names the taxon, so together they denote a subgroup within Brachyura (i.e., a subdivision of that crustacean group). Rank+taxon constructions are regular in scientific naming and cross-linguistically transparent, so a learner who knows both constituents will infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
Suborder Brachyura comes from Greek parts brachy ('short') and ura ('tail'), giving a clear image of crabs with a very short tail folded under their bodies. So the name points to the group of 'true crabs' whose rear end is tucked under the shell.