marmota caligata
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. A large North American mountain marmot: A species of rodent in the squirrel family (Sciuridae), specifically a type of ground squirrel known as a marmot, native to mountainous regions of northwestern North America. It is characterized by its relatively large size and distinctive fur coloration.
Usage Notes
- "Marmota caligata" is the scientific (Latin) binomial name for this animal. In formal or biological contexts, it is always written in italics.
- The common name for this species is the hoary marmot. In everyday English, it is almost always referred to by its common name.
- It is used as a singular, countable noun (e.g., , ).
Examples
- Scientific Context:
- The study focused on the hibernation patterns of Marmota caligata.
- Researchers identified the species as Marmota caligata based on its cranial measurements.
- Descriptive Context:
- We spotted a large Marmota caligata sunbathing on a rocky outcrop above the tree line.
Advanced Usage
- The name can be used in taxonomic discussions to specify the exact species within the genus , which includes other marmots like the woodchuck ().
- In ecological writing, it may be used to emphasize precision, especially when distinguishing it from similar species like the Vancouver Island marmot ().
Variants and Related Words
- Hoary marmot (n.): The standard common English name for .
- Whistler (n., informal): A colloquial nickname for this marmot, derived from its high-pitched alarm call.
- Marmot (n.): The general term for the group of large ground squirrels in the genus .
- Ground squirrel (n.): A broader category of rodents to which marmots belong.
Synonyms
- Hoary marmot
- Whistler (regional/informal)
Different Meanings
- "Marmota caligata" has only one specific meaning: it refers exclusively to this single species of marmot. It is not used idiomatically or in other contexts.
Noun
- large North American mountain marmot