genus Porphyrula
- noun
- /ˈdʒɛnəs pɔrˈfɪrʊlə/
- Specialized
- The American purple gallinule, a member of the genus Porphyrula, is admired for its striking colors.
Examples
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The genus Porphyrula comprises species known for their vibrant purple and green plumage.
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Researchers studied the habitat of birds within the genus Porphyrula across Central and South America.
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The genus Porphyrula includes several species of birds.
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Did you know that genus Porphyrula is found in wetlands?
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Researchers studied the habitat of birds within the genus Porphyrula across Central and South America.
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The genus Porphyrula comprises species known for their vibrant purple and green plumage.
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The American purple gallinule, a member of the genus Porphyrula, is admired for its striking colors.
Synonyms
A group of water birds like the purple gallinule, with bright feathers and long toes
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a literal composition of the biological rank 'genus' and the taxonomic name 'Porphyrula', so a learner who knows the meanings of both constituents will understand it denotes the genus called Porphyrula. This rank+name construction is a regular, cross-linguistic pattern in scientific nomenclature and thus immediately interpretable.
Etymology
Genus Porphyrula comes from the old Greek word porphyra meaning 'purple' and the small ending -ula, so it literally means 'little purple'. Scientists gave this name because the American purple gallinule and its relatives have bright purple and green feathers, so today the name refers to that group of colorful birds.