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Cambarus

Cambarus

1 9.9
A group of freshwater animals like small lobsters found in North America
  • noun
  • /ˈkæm.bə.rəs/
  • Specialized
: Cambarus
  • The Cambarus is often seen in the streams and rivers of North America.

Examples

  • Cambarus bartoni, that's its scientific name.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Holmes, S. J. 1924. The Genus Cambarus in California. Science 60 (155): 353-359.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Scientists study the Cambarus to understand freshwater ecosystems.

  • In many parts of the United States, the Cambarus is a popular delicacy.

Synonyms

crayfish
vsCambarus
6 3.0

A small fresh water animal like a tiny lobster with claws that lives in rivers and streams

is narrower naming one taxonomic genus of those freshwater crustaceans
crawdad
vsCambarus
  • Informal
3 8.2

A small freshwater animal like a tiny lobster that lives in creeks

is a specific taxonomic genus within those North American crustaceans

Surface Forms

Cambarus singular
Cambarus plural

Etymology

Cambarus is the scientific name for a group of freshwater crayfish, used by biologists to group similar species. A helpful way to remember it is that the name comes from an old word for 'crab' or 'shrimp', so it simply names these small freshwater shellfish.