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Glite Dictionary
suborder Megachiroptera

suborder Megachiroptera

9.3
A group of large fruit bats like flying foxes that live in tropical regions
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : suborden Megachiroptera
  • The suborder Megachiroptera includes the flying foxes found across Asia and Australia.

Examples

  • Unlike the smaller microbats, members of the suborder Megachiroptera typically do not use echolocation.

  • The suborder Megachiroptera is characterized by its large size and fruit-eating habits, making these bats vital for forest regeneration.

  • Scientists study the suborder Megachiroptera to understand their role in pollination and seed dispersal.

  • The suborder Megachiroptera includes many species of fruit bats.

  • Did you know that the suborder Megachiroptera consists mainly of large bats?

  • Researchers have identified several species within the suborder Megachiroptera, which are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems.

  • Members of the suborder Megachiroptera, such as the black flying fox, are often seen hanging in trees during the day.

Synonyms

Megachiroptera
vssuborder Megachiroptera
  • Specialized
9.9

Large bats with big eyes that eat fruit and nectar

emphasizes tropical and subtropical regional distribution instead

Surface Forms

suborder Megachiroptera singular
suborders Megachiroptera plural

Morphology

suborder + Megachiroptera

This is a straightforward taxonomic noun phrase formed by combining the rank 'suborder' with the clade name 'Megachiroptera'; if a learner knows both constituents, the meaning (a suborder of bats, i.e. the large fruit bats) follows directly. Such rank + name constructions are compositional and cross-linguistically common, making the expression transparent to learners who know the parts.

Etymology

Suborder Megachiroptera comes from old words: mega meaning 'large' and chiroptera meaning 'hand-wing'. The image of big bats whose wings stretch from long fingers like a hand helps you remember they are the large fruit bats called flying foxes, so the name points to their size and shape.