Definition

Noun: 1. A taxonomic genus of amphibians: "genus Triturus" is the scientific name for a specific group of salamanders within the family Salamandridae. Members of this genus are characterized by being primarily aquatic or semi-aquatic, especially during their breeding season.

Usage Notes

• "Genus Triturus" is a formal, scientific term used in biology, specifically in taxonomy (the science of classification) and herpetology (the study of amphibians and reptiles).
• It is always written in italics in academic texts. The genus name "Triturus" is capitalized, while the species name that follows it is not (e.g., ).
• In non-scientific contexts, animals in this genus are commonly referred to as "newts."

Examples

• Scientific context:
  • The researcher published a paper on the evolutionary history of genus Triturus.
  • Several species within genus Triturus are considered to be of conservation concern.
  • This specimen clearly belongs to genus Triturus due to its aquatic breeding behavior and morphological traits.

Advanced Usage

• The classification of species within has been revised by scientists. Some species formerly placed in this genus have been moved to other genera (e.g., , ). Therefore, the exact composition of the genus can be a topic of scientific discussion.

Variants and Related Words

• Triturus (n): The standardized, italicized form of the genus name used in binomial nomenclature.
  • The study focused on the phylogeny of Triturus.
• Newt (n): The common English name for salamanders in the subfamily Pleurodelinae, which includes species.
  • We found a smooth newt, Triturus vulgaris, in the pond.
• Crested Newt (n): A common name for species like , referring to the dorsal crest males develop during breeding season.

Synonyms

• Newts (common name, not a scientific synonym)
• Aquatic salamanders (descriptive term)

Related Terms (Scientific Context)

• Taxonomy: The branch of science concerned with classification.
• Genus: A principal taxonomic category that ranks above species and below family.
• Salamandridae: The biological family that includes newts and true salamanders.
• Amphibian: The class of cold-blooded vertebrates that includes frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders.

Noun

1. chiefly aquatic salamanders