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Glite Dictionary
Tayassu pecari

Tayassu pecari

9.9
A large wild pig-like animal with white cheeks from Central and South America
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : pecarí de labios blancos
  • A herd of Tayassu pecari moved noisily through the rainforest in search of food.

Examples

  • The conservation status of Tayassu pecari is threatened due to deforestation.

  • Unlike other peccaries, Tayassu pecari are often seen in very large groups.

  • Look at that Tayassu pecari!

  • The Tayassu pecari is often found in tropical forests.

  • A herd of Tayassu pecari moved noisily through the rainforest in search of food.

  • The conservation status of Tayassu pecari is threatened due to deforestation.

  • The Tayassu pecari is a unique species often found in tropical forests in Central and South America.

Synonyms

white-lipped peccary
vsTayassu pecari
  • US
9.9

A large wild pig from Central and South America with black fur, pale cheeks, often in large herds

names the species and states its native Central and South American range

Surface Forms

Tayassu pecari singular
Tayassu pecaris plural

Morphology

Tayassu + Pecari

This is a taxonomic binomial composed of a genus name (Tayassu) and species epithet (pecari); if a learner knows Tayassu = hoofed mammals (Tayassuidae) and Pecari = wild pigs, they can infer it refers to a specific peccary species. Scientific names are compositional and cross-linguistically used to denote a particular animal, so the meaning is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Tayassu pecari takes its name from words used by native people in South America: tayassu and pecari were names for a 'wild pig' or peccary. So the name helps you picture a large, dark, pig-like animal that moves in noisy herds, which is why it refers to this species.