Definition

Noun: 1. A taxonomic genus of aquatic frogs: "Genus Xenopus" is the scientific name for a genus of fully aquatic frogs native to sub-Saharan Africa, commonly known as African clawed frogs. They are characterized by their flattened bodies, small eyes on top of the head, and three short claws on each hind foot.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The laboratory uses embryos from Genus Xenopus for developmental biology research.
  • Genus Xenopus includes species like Xenopus laevis, which is a popular model organism in science.
  • Researchers studied the unique anatomy of Genus Xenopus.*

Advanced Usage

• In scientific classification: The term is used in formal biological taxonomy to group related species. It is often italicized in writing.
  • The study compared the genomes of several species within Genus Xenopus.*

Variants and Related Words

• Xenopus (n): The common shorthand for the genus name, often used interchangeably in scientific contexts.
  • Xenopus laevis is the most widely studied species.
• Xenopodidae (n): The family name to which this genus belongs in some classification systems.
• African clawed frog (n): The common English name for frogs of this genus.

Synonyms

• African clawed frogs (common name)
• Platanna (a regional common name, primarily in Southern Africa)

Related Terms (Scientific Context)

• Model organism: An organism used extensively in research to understand biological processes. is a classic model organism.
• Aquatic frog: Describes its primary habitat.
• Pipidae: The frog family that includes in the most common classification system.

Noun

1. an African clawed frog; in some classifications made the type genus of a separate family Xenopodidae