Ambystomidae

/ˌæmbɪstəˈmeɪdiː/ noun

Definition

A family of salamanders that includes the Ambystoma genus; lungless or partially-lunged salamanders found in the Americas.

Etymology

Scientific Latin family name based on Ambystoma (Greek amby- 'blunt' + stoma 'mouth') + -idae (scientific suffix indicating a family of organisms).

Kelly Says

Taxonomic naming can sound intimidating, but -idae endings are like surnames for animal families—just as all Smiths are related, all Ambystomidae share a common ancestor, and scientists group them this way to show evolutionary relationships.

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