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Glite Dictionary
Liopelmidae

Liopelmidae

9.9
A group of frogs from New Zealand with very old body features
  • noun
  • Specialized
: Liopelmidae
  • Scientists have studied Liopelmidae to understand amphibian evolution in New Zealand.

Examples

  • Unlike most frogs, members of the Liopelmidae have remained largely unchanged for millions of years.

  • The Liopelmidae are among the most ancient frog families still living today.

  • The Liopelmidae family includes some of the oldest frog species.

  • Did you know about the Liopelmidae frogs native to New Zealand?

  • Scientists have studied Liopelmidae to understand amphibian evolution in New Zealand.

  • The Liopelmidae are among the most ancient frog families still living today.

  • Unlike most frogs, members of the Liopelmidae have remained largely unchanged for millions of years.

Synonyms

Leiopelmatidae
vsLiopelmidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of frogs from New Zealand with ancient features

focuses on old anatomical features rather than ancestral lineage

Surface Forms

Liopelmidae singular
Liopelmidaes plural

Morphology

Liopelmidae = Liopelma (opaque) = Liopelma + idae

Formation uses the specialized taxonomic suffix '-idae' (denoting an animal family) and involves an irregular stem change from the genus form, so the meaning is not obvious to average learners.

Etymology

Liopelmidae comes from Greek parts leios ('smooth') and pelma ('sole of the foot'), so the name can be remembered as meaning 'smooth sole'. These frogs have smooth feet and are an ancient family from New Zealand, which is why the name fits.