Phocidae
Definition
Proper noun * Phocidae: The biological family comprising the earless seals or true seals. These are marine mammals characterized by the absence of external ear flaps, short foreflippers, and an inability to rotate their hind flippers forward for walking on land, moving instead by undulating their bodies.
Usage
- Phocidae is used as a formal taxonomic name in scientific and zoological contexts to classify a specific group of pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses).
- It is typically used with a singular verb when referring to the family as a single taxonomic unit.
- Example: "The family Phocidae includes common seals and elephant seals."
Examples
- "Marine biologists study the evolutionary history of Phocidae."
- "Members of Phocidae are more adapted to an aquatic life than their eared seal relatives."
- "The harbor seal is a well-known species within Phocidae."
Advanced Usage
- The term is used in comparative anatomy and phylogeny.
- Example: "The skeletal structure distinguishes Phocidae from Otariidae (eared seals)."
Variants and Related Words
- Phocid (noun/adjective): A member of the family Phocidae; relating to this family.
- Example (noun): "The leopard seal is a powerful phocid."
- Example (adjective): "Phocid seals have different locomotion on land compared to otariids."
Synonyms
- Earless seals
- True seals
Notes
- Phocidae is a Latin-derived scientific name. In common language, the animals within this family are most often called simply "seals," though this can cause confusion with eared seals (sea lions and fur seals). The terms "earless seal" or "true seal" are more precise common names.
Noun
-
earless seals
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