genus Lemmus
- noun
- /ˈdʒɛnəs ˈlɛməs/
- Specialized
- The genus Lemmus includes several species of lemmings found in northern tundra ecosystems.
Examples
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Scientists studying Arctic wildlife often focus on the genus Lemmus due to their population cycles.
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The genus Lemmus is known for its remarkable adaptations to the harsh climates of the Arctic regions.
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Recent research has revealed interesting migration patterns within the genus Lemmus.
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The genus Lemmus includes several species of lemmings.
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Did you know that the genus Lemmus is found in the Arctic?
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Researchers have observed that the genus Lemmus plays an important role in the Arctic food chain.
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Many naturalists study the genus Lemmus to understand the effects of climate change on small mammals.
Synonyms
A small animal like a mouse that lives in Arctic and subarctic regions
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is compositionally transparent: 'genus' denotes a biological rank and 'Lemmus' names the taxon (lemmings), so 'genus Lemmus' straightforwardly means the genus called Lemmus. This taxonomic naming pattern is standard in scientific language and cross-linguistically recognizable, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
Genus Lemmus comes from the common word 'lemming', used in northern countries for the small, furry Arctic animals. Scientists turned that familiar name into the Latin form Lemmus to label a group of similar species, so genus Lemmus simply means the scientific group of lemmings.