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genus Sula

genus Sula

9.9
A group of seabird species like gannets and boobies that live in warm oceans
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒiːnəs ˈsuːlə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Sula
  • The genus Sula includes several species of seabirds known as boobies.

Examples

  • The genus Sula includes several species of gannets.

  • Scientists discovered a new species in the genus Sula off the Pacific coast.

  • Conservation efforts have helped increase the populations of birds in the genus Sula.

  • Many researchers study genus Sula for its unique adaptations.

  • Conservation efforts have helped increase the populations of birds in the genus Sula.

  • Scientists discovered a new species in the genus Sula off the Pacific coast.

  • The genus Sula includes several species of seabirds known as boobies.

Synonyms

Sula
vsgenus Sula
  • Specialized
9.7

A large sea bird that lives on warm islands and nests on cliffs

includes both gannets and boobies rather than referring only to boobies

Surface Forms

genus Sula singular
genera Sula plural

Morphology

genus + Sula

The phrase combines the noun 'genus' (a biological rank) with the proper name 'Sula' (a named genus of seabirds), so a learner who knows both constituents can directly infer it means the genus called Sula comprising gannets and boobies. This is a compositional, naming convention common across languages, making the expression immediately understandable rather than idiomatic.

Etymology

Genus Sula may come from an old word for the birds themselves, like the old word 'sula' for a gannet. Scientists used Sula as the name for the 'group' of related sea birds, so genus Sula today means the group that includes gannets and boobies.