Definition

Noun: 1. A taxonomic genus of birds: "Genus Cathartes" is the scientific name for a specific genus within the family Cathartidae, the New World vultures. It is the type genus for this family.

Usage

• The term "Genus Cathartes" is used exclusively in scientific and ornithological contexts to classify a specific group of vultures.
• It is a proper noun and is typically formatted in italics: .

Examples

• In scientific literature: " is distinguished from other vulture genera by its highly developed sense of smell."
• In taxonomic lists: "The family Cathartidae includes the genera , , and ."
• In identification: "The Turkey Vulture, , is the most widespread member of the genus."

Advanced Usage

• As the type genus: The phrase "type genus" indicates that is the genus that defines the family Cathartidae. When the family was established, was the representative genus used as the standard.

Variants and Related Words

• Cathartes (n): The abbreviated form used within the scientific name of a species (e.g., ).
• Cathartid (n/adjective): A common name for any member of the family Cathartidae; also used as an adjective (e.g., cathartid vultures).
• Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) (n): The most common species within this genus.
• Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus) (n): Another species in the genus.
• Greater Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes melambrotus) (n): Another species in the genus.

Synonyms

• Taxonomic genus for turkey vultures: (This is the specific scientific classification; there are no true synonyms, only the common names of its member species.)

Different Meanings

The term "Genus Cathartes" has only one specific meaning in modern English: it refers to this particular biological genus. It is not used in general language or idioms.

Noun

1. type genus of the Cathartidae: turkey vultures