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genus Lagopus

genus Lagopus

9.9
A group of birds like ptarmigans that live in snowy arctic areas
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ˈleɪɡəpəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Lagopus
  • The genus Lagopus includes several species of ptarmigan adapted to cold climates.

Examples

  • Researchers studied the plumage of birds in the genus Lagopus to understand their camouflage.

  • Birdwatchers often seek the genus Lagopus in the tundra.

  • All species within the genus Lagopus are well-camouflaged for snowy environments.

  • The genus Lagopus includes several species of ptarmigans.

  • All species within the genus Lagopus are well-camouflaged for snowy environments.

  • The genus Lagopus includes several species of ptarmigan adapted to cold climates.

  • Birdwatchers often seek the genus Lagopus in the tundra.

Synonyms

Lagopus
vsgenus Lagopus
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A group of birds called ptarmigans that live in cold arctic areas

is the same meaning but written as a fuller taxonomic phrase

Surface Forms

genus Lagopus singular

Morphology

genus + Lagopus

The phrase is compositionally built from the taxonomic noun 'genus' (a rank grouping related species) and the proper name 'Lagopus' (the specific bird genus), so its meaning — the genus called Lagopus (ptarmigans) — is directly derivable from the parts. Scientific binomial/taxonomic constructions are cross-linguistically familiar, making this immediately comprehensible to learners who know both constituents.

Etymology

Genus Lagopus comes from ancient Greek words lagos meaning 'hare' and pous meaning 'foot'. Ptarmigans in this group have thick, feathered feet that look like a hare's foot and help them walk on snow, so the name describes these cold-place birds.