genus Orycteropus
- noun
- /ˈdʒɛnəs ɔrɪkˈtɛrəpəs/
- Specialized
- The genus Orycteropus contains only a single extant species, the aardvark.
Examples
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Researchers studied fossils of the genus Orycteropus to learn more about its evolutionary history.
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All members of the genus Orycteropus share distinctive digging adaptations.
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The genus Orycteropus includes only one species.
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Did you know that the genus Orycteropus is native to Africa?
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Researchers studied fossils of the genus Orycteropus to learn more about its evolutionary history.
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All members of the genus Orycteropus share distinctive digging adaptations.
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The genus Orycteropus contains only a single extant species, the aardvark.
Synonyms
A group of African mammals that includes the aardvark
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is fully compositional: 'genus' (a biological rank) combined with the proper name 'Orycteropus' directly denotes the taxonomic group. This follows standard, cross-linguistic biological naming conventions, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand the meaning.
Etymology
Genus Orycteropus may come from old Greek words orycter ('digger') and pous ('foot'). This fits the aardvark, which uses strong feet to dig for food, so the name helps you remember that the animal is a digger.