Definition

Noun: - A taxonomic classification: "genus Icterus" is the type genus of the family Icteridae, which includes New World blackbirds, orioles, and similar birds. In biological taxonomy, a genus is a rank grouping closely related species.

Usage

• Scientific Classification: The term is used primarily in scientific and ornithological contexts to refer to this specific genus and to define the family Icteridae.
  • The genus Icterus includes the well-known Baltimore oriole.
  • The family Icteridae is named for its type genus, genus Icterus.

Advanced Usage

• As a taxonomic reference point: The genus serves as the nomenclatural type for its family, meaning the family Icteridae is defined in relation to this genus.
  • The characteristics of the family are based on those of genus Icterus.

Variants and Related Words

• Icterid (noun): A common name for any bird belonging to the family Icteridae.
  • Grackles and cowbirds are also icterids.
• Icterus (noun): This is the genus name itself, often used in italics in scientific writing: .
  • The species Icterus galbula is commonly called the Baltimore oriole.

Synonyms

• Type genus of Icteridae: This is a descriptive synonym specifying its taxonomic role.

Notes on Meaning

• Not to be confused with: The medical term "icterus," which means jaundice. The biological genus and the medical condition are homographs (same spelling) but have completely different meanings and contexts.
  • The doctor diagnosed the patient with icterus (jaundice), which is unrelated to the bird genus Icterus.

Noun

1. type genus of the Icteridae