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Glite Dictionary
genus Catharacta

genus Catharacta

9.9
A former group of large seabirds called skuas now placed in Stercorarius
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : género Catharacta
  • The genus Catharacta was once considered distinct from other skuas but is now merged into Stercorarius.

Examples

  • Researchers studied the feeding habits of birds classified under genus Catharacta.

  • Conservationists monitor the populations of seabirds formerly known as genus Catharacta in sub-Antarctic regions.

  • The genus Catharacta includes several species of skuas.

  • Did you know that the genus Catharacta is now classified under Stercorarius?

  • Conservationists monitor the populations of seabirds formerly known as genus Catharacta in sub-Antarctic regions.

  • Researchers studied the feeding habits of birds classified under genus Catharacta.

  • The genus Catharacta was once considered distinct from other skuas but is now merged into Stercorarius.

Synonyms

Catharacta
vsgenus Catharacta
  • Archaic
9.9

A group of large seabirds that attack other birds in the Southern Hemisphere

refers to that group but highlights its reclassification into a different modern group

Surface Forms

genus Catharacta singular
genera Catharacta plural

Morphology

genus + Catharacta

This is a directly compositional taxonomic phrase: 'genus' (a biological rank) combined with the proper name 'Catharacta' (the name of a group of skuas), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to the genus called Catharacta. The 'genus + name' construction is cross-linguistically common and non-idiomatic, making the meaning transparent.

Etymology

Genus Catharacta may come from an old Greek word meaning 'waterfall' or 'to rush down', giving the picture of Catharacta diving and swooping toward the sea. So the name was used for large, fierce 'skuas', and that picture helps you remember they are aggressive seabirds.