Definition

1. Noun:
   • A taxonomic genus of venomous snakes: "Genus Hemachatus" is the scientific name for a specific genus of elapid snakes, containing a single recognized species. This genus is characterized by its ability to spit venom as a defensive mechanism.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The genus Hemachatus is monotypic, meaning it contains only one species.
  • Herpetologists study the unique venom-spitting behavior of genus Hemachatus.

Advanced Usage

• In taxonomic classification: Used in scientific literature to refer to this specific genus within the family Elapidae.
  • The phylogenetic analysis placed genus Hemachatus as a sister group to true cobras (genus Naja).

Variants and Related Words

• Hemachatus (n): The abbreviated form of the genus name, often used in the same contexts.
  • Hemachatus haemachatus is the full binomial name for the ringhals or rinkhals.
• Ringhals (n): The common name for the sole species within this genus, .
  • The ringhals is known for its distinctive neck banding.

Synonyms

• Rinkhals: An alternative common name for the species .
• Spitting cobra (colloquial): A descriptive, non-scientific term often applied to this genus due to its defensive behavior, though it is not a true cobra (genus ).

Related Phrases

• Member of genus Hemachatus: A phrase used to specify an organism belonging to this taxonomic group.
  • The specimen was identified as a member of genus Hemachatus.

Related Idioms

• This is a specific scientific term, and thus is not typically used in idiomatic expressions.

Noun

1. ringhals