Definition

Noun: * A taxonomic family of primates, the Lorisidae, characterized by their slow, deliberate movements, nocturnal habits, and omnivorous diet. They are native to tropical regions of Asia and Africa, and most species lack a visible tail.

Usage

• The word "family Lorisidae" is used in scientific and zoological contexts to classify a specific group of primates. It is a formal, taxonomic term.
• It functions as a singular collective noun when referring to the family as a taxonomic unit.
• Example: "The family Lorisidae includes both slender lorises and slow lorises."

Examples

• Biologists study the unique locomotion of primates in the family Lorisidae.
• Several species within the family Lorisidae are threatened by habitat loss.
• The family Lorisidae is distinguished from lemurs by its geographic distribution and anatomical features.

Advanced Usage

• In phylogenetic studies, the placement of the family Lorisidae within the suborder Strepsirrhini is well-established.
• The term is often used in contrast to other primate families, such as Lemuridae or Galagidae.

Variants and Related Words

• Lorisid (noun/adjective): A member of the family Lorisidae; pertaining to the family Lorisidae.
  • Example: "The lorisid skull shows adaptations for nocturnal vision."
• Loris (noun): A common name for various species within the family Lorisidae, especially the slender lorises () and slow lorises ().
• Nycticebus (noun): The genus within Lorisidae that includes the slow lorises.
• Loris (noun): The genus within Lorisidae that includes the slender lorises.

Synonyms

• Lorisids: A less formal synonym referring to the members of this family.
• Lorises: A common name for these animals, though this can sometimes exclude the pottos and angwantibos (which are also in Lorisidae but are African).

Different Meanings

• The term "family" in "family Lorisidae" has a specific biological meaning (a rank in taxonomic classification) and is not used in its common social sense.
• "Lorisidae" refers exclusively to the biological family and has no other meanings.

Noun

1. slow-moving omnivorous nocturnal primates of tropical Asia; usually tailless