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Glite Dictionary
Desmognathus

Desmognathus

9.9
A group of small salamanders native to North America, often found near streams
  • noun
  • /ˌdɛzməˈnæθəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Desmognathus
  • The Desmognathus genus includes several species of dusky salamanders found in North American forests.

Examples

  • The importance of sample number was highlighted in a comparative study of the salamander Desmognathus monticola in the Appalachian Mountains (Bonett et al. 2007).

    Academic text (2011)

  • Conservation efforts are focused on protecting the Desmognathus population due to habitat loss.

  • Researchers studied the behavior of the salamander Desmognathus fuscus in its natural habitat.

Synonyms

dusky salamander
vsDesmognathus
  • US
6.8

A small animal like a frog with dark brown or grey skin that lives in damp forests

is the scientific genus term used in formal classification not the nontechnical name

Surface Forms

Desmognathus singular
Desmognathi plural

Etymology

Desmognathus comes from Greek parts desmo- meaning 'bond' and -gnathus meaning 'jaw'. A helpful way to remember the name is to think of these dusky salamanders as having a 'bound' or strong jaw, which refers to the shape of their jaws and so links the name to this group of North American salamanders.