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Glite Dictionary
Eretmochelys imbricata

Eretmochelys imbricata

9.9
A tropical sea turtle with a pointed beak and a beautiful patterned shell that is endangered
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Eretmochelys imbricata
  • The Eretmochelys imbricata, commonly known as the hawksbill turtle, is critically endangered due to illegal hunting for its shell.

Examples

  • The Eretmochelys imbricata is critically endangered due to the high demand for its beautiful shell.

  • Marine biologists study Eretmochelys imbricata to better understand threats to biodiversity in coral reefs.

  • Illegal trafficking of Eretmochelys imbricata remains a serious issue for wildlife conservation organizations.

  • The Eretmochelys imbricata is often found in coral reefs.

  • Have you ever seen an Eretmochelys imbricata in the wild?

  • As a tropical sea turtle, the Eretmochelys imbricata plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of coral reef ecosystems.

  • Efforts to protect the Eretmochelys imbricata have led to increased awareness of marine conservation among local communities.

Synonyms

hawksbill turtle
vsEretmochelys imbricata
  • Specialized
7.5

A sea turtle with a pointed, hawk-like beak and a beautiful patterned shell that is endangered

is the formal scientific name for the same animal
hawksbill
vsEretmochelys imbricata
  • Specialized
9.4

A tropical sea turtle with a hawk-like beak and a beautiful shell wanted by people

is emphasised for being critically endangered rather than for use
tortoiseshell turtle
vsEretmochelys imbricata
8.2

A tropical sea turtle with a hooked beak and a beautiful patterned shell valued for decoration and food

is highlighted for being critically endangered, not mainly for use
hawkbill
vsEretmochelys imbricata
  • Specialized
9.8

A tropical sea turtle with a hooked beak valued for its shell and meat

is described mainly as critically endangered rather than as food

Surface Forms

Eretmochelys imbricata singular
Eretmochelys imbricatas plural

Morphology

Eretmochelys + imbricata

This is a Latin binomial (genus + species) functioning as a scientific proper name rather than a compositional English phrase; the species epithet 'imbricata' is not lexically clear and is marked as not found. Even if a learner knows that Eretmochelys refers to a sea-turtle genus, they would not be able to derive the full common-language meaning (tropical hawksbill turtle, tortoiseshell, conservation status) from the parts, so the expression is not transparently compositional.

Etymology

The name Eretmochelys imbricata comes from old Greek and Latin words: eretmo ('oar') + chelys ('turtle') and imbricata ('overlapping'). So the name gives a picture of a turtle with oar-like flippers and a shell of overlapping plates, which helps you remember this sea turtle and its tiled shell.