Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Opisthognathidae

Opisthognathidae

9.9
A group of sea fish with large mouths that live in burrows
  • noun
  • /ˌɒpɪsθəɡˈnæθɪdi/
  • Specialized
: opisthognátidos
  • The Opisthognathidae family includes various species of jawfishes.

Examples

  • The Opisthognathidae are easily identified by their exceptionally large mouths.

  • Scientists discovered a new species within the Opisthognathidae near the coral reefs.

  • Members of the Opisthognathidae family construct elaborate burrows in sandy ocean floors.

  • Many researchers study the Opisthognathidae to understand their burrowing habits.

  • Members of the Opisthognathidae family construct elaborate burrows in sandy ocean floors.

  • Scientists discovered a new species within the Opisthognathidae near the coral reefs.

  • The Opisthognathidae are easily identified by their exceptionally large mouths.

Synonyms

family Opisthognathidae
vsOpisthognathidae
  • Specialized
9.9

Small sea fish with large mouths that live in holes in sand

is the same group but written as the taxon name only

Compounds

family Opisthognathidae
  • Specialized
9.9

Small sea fish with large mouths that live in holes in sand

Surface Forms

Opisthognathidae singular
Opisthognathidae plural

Morphology

Opisthognathidae = Opisthognathus (opaque) = opistho + gnath + idae

Formed by adding the taxonomic family suffix '-idae' to a genus name built from Greek combining forms; this construction is specialized and not transparent to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Opisthognathidae comes from Greek parts opistho- 'behind' and gnath- 'jaw', and the ending -idae means an animal family. The name points to these fishes' large 'jaws', so it fits their common name 'jawfishes'.