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Glite Dictionary
genus Mollienesia

genus Mollienesia

9.9
A former group name for small freshwater fish called mollies now in Poecilia
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs mɒliˈnɛziə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : género Mollienesia
  • The classification of the genus Mollienesia has changed as scientists now include these species in the genus Poecilia.

Examples

  • Many aquarium enthusiasts keep fish from the genus Mollienesia for their vivid colors and peaceful nature.

  • Early zoologists described new species within the genus Mollienesia during expeditions in Central America.

  • The genus Mollienesia includes various species of freshwater fish.

  • Did you know that genus Mollienesia is often classified under Poecilia?

  • Many aquarium enthusiasts keep fish from the genus Mollienesia for their vivid colors and peaceful nature.

  • The classification of the genus Mollienesia has changed as scientists now include these species in the genus Poecilia.

  • Early zoologists described new species within the genus Mollienesia during expeditions in Central America.

Surface Forms

genus Mollienesia singular
genera Mollienesia plural

Morphology

genus + Mollienesia

The meaning 'a genus named Mollienesia' is directly and compositionally derived from 'genus' (a biological rank grouping related species) plus the proper-name 'Mollienesia' (a group of small tropical fish). This straightforward taxonomic noun + name pattern is cross-linguistically common and, aside from the specialized domain, would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Genus Mollienesia may come from the last name of a naturalist who first described these small freshwater fish, so the name is like a label for a 'group' of similar fish. That's why the term refers to a set of mollies, even though scientists now usually put them in Poecilia.