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Glite Dictionary
Potamogalidae

Potamogalidae

9.9
A family of small mammals that live partly in water in central and western Africa, called otter shrews
  • noun
  • Specialized
: Potamogalidae
  • The Potamogalidae family includes several species of otter shrews.

Examples

  • The Potamogalidae are adapted for life in freshwater streams and swamps.

  • The decline of Potamogalidae populations is linked to habitat loss in Africa.

  • Researchers have studied the diet of Potamogalidae to better understand wetland ecosystems.

  • Did you know that Potamogalidae are native to Africa?

  • Researchers have studied the diet of Potamogalidae to better understand their role in wetland ecosystems.

  • The Potamogalidae are agile swimmers, making them well-suited for life in Africa's freshwater habitats.

  • The decline of Potamogalidae populations highlights the impact of environmental changes on native wildlife in Africa.

Synonyms

family Potamogalidae
vsPotamogalidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small mammals that live partly in water in central and western Africa

is the exact scientific family term for the same group
otter shrew
vsPotamogalidae
  • South African
9.9

A small African animal that swims and eats insects

refers to the whole family rather than an individual species

Compounds

family Potamogalidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small mammals that live partly in water in central and western Africa

Surface Forms

Potamogalidae singular
Potamogalidae plural

Morphology

Potamogalidae = Potamogale (opaque) = potamo + gale + idae

Formally built from the genus name + the scientific family suffix '-idae', but the Greek combining elements and the technical taxonomic suffix are not interpretable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Potamogalidae comes from Greek parts potamo- meaning 'river', as in the word hippopotamus, and -galidae from a word for 'weasel', so it literally means 'river weasels', a fitting image for these otter-like mammals that live in streams and swamps.