anguis fragilis
Học thuậtThân thiện
A gardener carefully lifts a log to reveal an anguis fragilis resting in the soil.
Definition
Noun: * A species of legless lizard: Anguis fragilis is the scientific name for a specific reptile, commonly known as the slowworm or blindworm. It is a small, burrowing, legless lizard native to Europe, characterized by its smooth, shiny scales, tiny eyes, and the ability to shed its tail when threatened.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- While gardening, I uncovered an Anguis fragilis under a log.
- Despite its snake-like appearance, Anguis fragilis is actually a lizard.
- The Anguis fragilis is often mistaken for a snake due to its lack of legs.
Advanced Usage
- In binomial nomenclature: The term is used in its italicized form () to precisely identify the species in scientific or zoological contexts, distinguishing it from common names which can vary by region.
- The study focused on the population genetics of Anguis fragilis in the British Isles.*
Variants and Related Words
- Slowworm (n): The most common English name for this species.
- The slowworm is a protected species in many countries.
- Blindworm (n): An older or alternative common name, stemming from the creature's small, inconspicuous eyes.
- The blindworm is neither blind nor a worm.
Synonyms
- Slowworm
- Blindworm
Notes on Meaning
- Scientific vs. Common Name: is the formal, internationally recognized Latin name. The common names "slowworm" and "blindworm" are used in everyday language but can be ambiguous.
- Misidentification: A key point of usage is to clarify that is not a snake but a legless lizard, a distinction important in biology and wildlife education.
A gardener carefully lifts a log to reveal an anguis fragilis resting in the soil.
Noun
- small burrowing legless European lizard with tiny eyes; popularly believed to be blind