Definition

Noun: 1. A genus of amphibians: Leptodactylus is the scientific name for the type genus of the frog family Leptodactylidae. This genus includes various species of frogs commonly known as "white-lipped frogs" or "tropical frogs," primarily found in Central and South America.

Usage Notes

• This word is a proper noun (capitalized) as it is a scientific genus name in biological taxonomy.
• It is used almost exclusively in scientific, academic, or zoological contexts.
• In formal writing, the genus name is always italicized (e.g., ). When used with a specific species name, the genus is often abbreviated after the first full mention (e.g., ).

Examples of Usage

• Scientific Context:
  • The genus Leptodactylus is characterized by its robust body and distinct vocal sacs.
  • Researchers studied the mating call of Leptodactylus fallax.
• General Descriptive Context:
  • Several species within Leptodactylus are known for their loud, chorusing calls at night.

Advanced Usage

• Taxonomic Hierarchy: The word is used to specify an organism's classification.
  • The frog belongs to the order Anura, family Leptodactylidae, and genus Leptodactylus.

Variants and Related Words

• Leptodactylid (noun/adjective): A member of the family Leptodactylidae; pertaining to that family.
  • Leptodactylid frogs exhibit diverse reproductive strategies.
• Leptodactyline (adjective): Pertaining to or characteristic of the subfamily Leptodactylinae, which includes the genus .

Synonyms

• Type genus of Leptodactylidae (formal, definitional synonym)
• There are no common-language synonyms, as this is a precise scientific term. In non-scientific contexts, one might refer to "a genus of Neotropical frogs" or "white-lipped frogs."

Different Meanings

• This word has only one specific meaning in modern English: it refers exclusively to the zoological genus. It is not used in idioms, phrasal verbs, or with other figurative meanings.

Noun

1. type genus of the Leptodactylidae; in some classifications placed in the family Bufonidae