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genus Alces

genus Alces

9.1
A group of large deer that includes the moose and lives in northern parts of North America, Europe and Asia
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ˈælkiːz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Alces
  • The genus Alces contains only one extant species, the moose, found across the northern hemisphere.

Examples

  • Conservation efforts for the genus Alces focus mainly on habitat preservation for the moose.

  • Paleontologists have discovered fossil species within the genus Alces from the Pleistocene era.

  • The genus Alces includes the majestic moose.

  • Did you know that the genus Alces is found in Canada?

  • The genus Alces includes large deer such as the moose, which thrive in cold climates.

  • In the genus Alces, the moose is the only species that still exists today.

  • Scientists study the genus Alces to understand the evolution of large deer.

Synonyms

Alces
vsgenus Alces
  • Specialized
9.8

A group of very large deer that includes the moose

describes the same group as large deer native to northern North America and Eurasia

Surface Forms

genus Alces singular
genera Alces plural

Morphology

genus + Alces

This is a straightforward compositional combination: 'genus' names a biological rank and 'Alces' is the taxonomic name, so together they denote the taxonomic group containing moose/elk. A B1 learner who knows both constituent words (and that scientific names are used internationally) can reliably infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

Genus Alces comes from the old word Alces, which meant a large deer or 'elk' in Latin and Greek. That's why the name is used for the group of big deer that includes the 'moose'.