genus varanus

Thân thiện

A biologist sketches a genus varanus specimen in her field notebook.

Definition

Noun: 1. A taxonomic genus of large lizards: "Genus Varanus" is the biological classification for a group of reptiles, specifically the monitor lizards. It is the only living genus within the family Varanidae.

Usage Notes

• "Genus Varanus" is a scientific, taxonomic term used primarily in biology and zoology. It is always capitalized.
• It refers to the entire category or group, not an individual animal. An individual is called a "monitor lizard" or a member of the "genus ".

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The Komodo dragon is the largest living species in genus Varanus.
  • Herpetologists study the evolutionary history of genus Varanus.
  • All modern monitor lizards belong to Genus Varanus.

Advanced Usage

• In taxonomic hierarchy: The term is used to specify the genus level in the classification of life (Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Reptilia, Order: Squamata, Family: Varanidae, Genus: Varanus).
• In binomial nomenclature: The genus name forms the first part of a species' two-part scientific name (e.g., for the Komodo dragon).

Variants and Related Words

• Varanid (noun): A member of the family Varanidae; a monitor lizard.
  • Fossil evidence shows that varanids were once more widespread.
• Monitor lizard (noun): The common name for any lizard within the genus .
  • The Nile monitor is a common type of monitor lizard.

Synonyms

• Monitor lizards (as a group)
• The varanid genus

Different Meanings

This term has a single, specific meaning in scientific classification. It does not have idiomatic or colloquial uses.

Học thuật

Noun

1. type and sole extant genus of the Varanidae

Từ đồng nghĩa

• Varanus
• genus Varanus