Definition

Noun 1. A taxonomic genus of birds: The genus Diomedea is the type genus of the family Diomedeidae, comprising the great albatrosses. These are very large seabirds known for their extensive gliding flights over open oceans.

Usage Notes

• The term "genus Diomedea" is used in scientific and ornithological contexts to classify a specific group of albatrosses. It is always capitalized and italicized when referring to the formal taxonomic rank.
• In common language, birds of this genus are most often referred to simply as "albatrosses" or more specifically as "great albatrosses" (e.g., Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross).

Examples

• Scientific Context:
  • The Wandering Albatross, with the largest wingspan of any bird, is classified under the genus Diomedea.
  • Ornithologists are studying the genetic differences between species within genus Diomedea.
• General Context:
  • Birds belonging to the genus Diomedea are masters of dynamic soaring.

Advanced Usage

• As a taxonomic reference point: The phrase "type genus" indicates that is the genus that defines the characteristics of the family Diomedeidae. When the family was established, was the first or primary genus used as its model.

Variants and Related Words

• Diomedeidae (n): The biological family name for all albatrosses, to which the genus belongs.
• Albatross (n): The common name for seabirds in the family Diomedeidae.
• Great albatross (n): A common name grouping for the species within the genus , distinguishing them from other albatross genera (e.g., mollymawks).

Synonyms

• Great albatrosses (common name grouping)

Notes on Different Meanings

• The word "Diomedea" itself has no separate meaning in everyday English outside of its use as a proper scientific name. It is derived from the Greek hero Diomedes.

Noun

1. type of the Diomedeidae