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Glite Dictionary
Alligatoridae

Alligatoridae

9.9
A family of large water reptiles that includes alligators and caimans
  • noun
  • /ˌælɪˈɡɔːtəˌreɪdiː/
  • Specialized
: Alligatoridae
  • The Alligatoridae family includes both alligators and caimans.

Examples

  • Members of Alligatoridae can be found in both the Americas and China.

  • The Alligatoridae family includes both alligators and caimans.

  • Scientists study the evolutionary relationships between Alligatoridae and other reptiles.

  • Are Alligatoridae found in China?

  • The Alligatoridae family includes large reptiles like alligators and caimans that thrive in water.

  • In North America, the Alligatoridae family is represented by several species of alligators.

  • Researchers have identified multiple habitats where Alligatoridae live in both America and China.

Surface Forms

Alligatoridae singular
Alligatoridaes plural
Alligatoridae plural

Morphology

Alligatoridae = alligator (semi-transparent) = alligator + idae

Built from 'alligator' plus the taxonomic suffix '-idae'; the relation to 'alligator' is clear but the specialized scientific suffix may be unfamiliar to general learners.

Etymology

Alligatoridae comes from the Spanish phrase el lagarto, which means 'the lizard', and that became the English word alligator. The ending -idae is used in science to mean 'family', so Alligatoridae names the family of lizard-like animals and that is why it refers to the group that includes alligators and caimans.