Definition

Noun: * Genus Zalophus: A taxonomic genus within the family Otariidae, comprising sea lions. This genus name is used in biological classification to group a specific type of eared seal.

Usage Notes

• "Genus Zalophus" is a scientific, taxonomic term. It is always capitalized and typically italicized in formal biological texts.
• It is used in academic, zoological, and marine biology contexts to refer to this specific group of animals, distinguishing them from other genera of sea lions (like or ).
• In everyday language, the common name "sea lion" is used instead.

Examples

• The California sea lion, a common marine mammal, belongs to genus Zalophus.
• Genus Zalophus is characterized by external ear flaps and the ability to walk on land using their large flippers.
• A key difference between genus Zalophus and other sea lion genera is the shape of the sagittal crest on the skull of adult males.

Advanced Usage

• In Taxonomic Hierarchy: The term is used to specify an organism's precise classification.
  • Example: The full classification is: Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Carnivora, Family Otariidae, Genus Zalophus, Species californianus.

Variants and Related Words

• Zalophus: The abbreviated form of the genus name, used identically in scientific contexts (e.g., ).
• Sea lion (n.): The common name for pinnipeds in the genera , , , and .
• Otariid (n./adj.): A member of the family Otariidae (eared seals, including sea lions and fur seals); relating to that family.

Synonyms

• (As a group of animals): Sea lions (specifically those within this genus, though this common name is broader).

Related Terms (Scientific Context)

• Taxonomy: The science of classification.
• Genus: A rank in biological classification grouping closely related species.
• Type species: The species that defines a genus. For genus Zalophus, it is (the California sea lion).

Noun

1. sea lions