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Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus

Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus

9.9
A common West African monkey with a greenish back and a yellow tail that lives on the savannah
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus
  • The Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus is often found in large groups on the West African savannah.

Examples

  • The Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus is known for its distinctive yellow tail and sociable nature.

  • Researchers observed several Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus individuals foraging for food near the river.

  • Local folklore features the Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus as a clever and adaptable animal.

  • The Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus is often seen in groups.

  • I spotted a Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus while hiking in Senegal.

  • While on safari, we were delighted to see a troop of Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus playing in the trees.

  • In West Africa, the Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus is often recognized by its unique greenish-grey fur.

Synonyms

green monkey
vsCercopithecus aethiops sabaeus
1 6.5

A West African monkey that lives in open grasslands with a greenish-grey back and a yellow tail

is broader, referring to the species generally beyond West Africa
African green monkey
vsCercopithecus aethiops sabaeus
  • South African
6.2

A monkey that lives on the African savanna with greenish-grey fur and a yellow tail

is narrower, used specifically for West African populations

Surface Forms

Morphology

Cercopithecus + aethiops + sabaeus

The genus name 'Cercopithecus' explicitly identifies a group of monkeys, so a learner who knows that constituent can infer this is a type of monkey. However, the Latin species/subspecies epithets 'aethiops sabaeus' do not transparently convey the common name or physical description to a B1 learner, so the taxonomic form is predictable but the specific meaning/features remain opaque without prior exposure.

Etymology

Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus comes from old Greek and Latin words that describe the animal: Cercopithecus combines words for 'tail' and 'monkey', and aethiops sabaeus points to being 'from Africa' and a local group. So the name gives a simple picture — a tailed monkey from Africa — which helps you remember the green monkey on the savannah.