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Glite Dictionary
genus Potos

genus Potos

9.9
A group of mammals in the raccoon family that includes the kinkajou
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ˈpoʊtoʊs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Potos
  • The genus Potos is best known for the kinkajou, a small rainforest mammal.

Examples

  • Only one living species, the kinkajou, is classified within genus Potos.

  • Scientists recently published a comprehensive study on the evolutionary history of genus Potos.

  • The genus Potos includes unique mammals.

  • Many scientists study the genus Potos for its interesting traits.

  • Only one living species, the kinkajou, is classified within genus Potos.

  • Scientists recently published a comprehensive study on the evolutionary history of genus Potos.

  • The genus Potos is best known for the kinkajou, a small rainforest mammal.

Synonyms

Potos
vsgenus Potos
  • Specialized
9.9

A small group of related mammals that includes the kinkajou

is the same meaning but uses the full two-word descriptive form

Surface Forms

genus Potos singular
genera Potos plural

Morphology

genus + Potos

The phrase is transparently compositional: 'genus' denotes a biological rank and 'Potos' is the taxonomic name, so a learner who knows both words can infer that this refers to the genus called Potos (a group of related species). This is a non-idiomatic, technical naming pattern common across languages, so no additional metaphorical or culture-specific knowledge is required.

Etymology

Genus Potos may come from a local South American word for the small rainforest animal called the 'kinkajou'. Early scientists used that local word when they named the group, so genus Potos simply means the kinkajou and its close relatives.