genus siren
A biologist carefully sketches a specimen of the genus Siren in a field notebook.
Noun: A taxonomic genus within the family Sirenidae. This genus consists of large, eel-like, aquatic salamanders that retain larval features such as external gills throughout their lives. Members of this genus are commonly known as sirens.
The term "genus Siren" is used in formal biological and zoological contexts to classify and refer to this specific group of amphibians. - The biologist is studying the unique respiratory system of an organism in the genus Siren. - This specimen clearly belongs to genus Siren due to its permanent external gills and lack of hind limbs.
- In taxonomic hierarchy: The name is used to indicate the genus rank, which groups closely related species. The genus name is always italicized in scientific writing.
- The family Sirenidae contains two genera: Siren and Pseudobranchus.
- Siren (noun, common name): The common name for any salamander within the genus .
- The lesser siren (Siren intermedia) is found in the southeastern United States.
- Sirenidae (noun): The family name that includes the genus and the genus (dwarf sirens).
- Sirens (when used as a common name for the group)
The term "genus Siren" has a single, specific meaning in scientific nomenclature. It should not be confused with the mythological "siren," which is a completely different concept. In biology, it refers exclusively to a taxonomic category for a particular type of salamander.
A biologist carefully sketches a specimen of the genus Siren in a field notebook.
- a genus of Sirenidae