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genus Uca

genus Uca

9.9
A group of small crabs called fiddler crabs whose males have one very large claw
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Uca
  • The genus Uca includes many species commonly known as fiddler crabs.

Examples

  • Researchers are studying the mating dances of crabs within the genus Uca.

  • Many coastal wetlands are inhabited by various members of the genus Uca.

  • The genus Uca includes many fascinating species.

  • Did you know about the genus Uca of fiddler crabs?

  • Many coastal wetlands are inhabited by various members of the genus Uca.

  • The genus Uca includes many species commonly known as fiddler crabs.

  • Researchers are studying the mating dances of crabs within the genus Uca.

Synonyms

Uca
vsgenus Uca
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small tropical crab often called a fiddler crab whose males have one very large front claw

focuses on male claw size as the main distinguishing feature

Surface Forms

genus Uca singular
genera Uca plural

Morphology

genus + Uca

The phrase is directly compositional: 'genus' names a biological rank and 'Uca' is the taxon name, so 'genus Uca' straightforwardly means the genus called Uca. This follows common cross-linguistic scientific naming patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand the meaning.

Etymology

Genus Uca likely comes from an old local word for the small crabs called 'fiddler crabs'. Male fiddler crabs hold one very large claw and wave it like someone playing a fiddle, so the name Uca became the group name for crabs with that 'one very large claw'.