How Do You Spell ATHERURUS MACROURUS?

Pronunciation: [ˈaθəɹˌʊ͡əɹəs mˈakɹəjˌuːɹəs] (IPA)

The word "atherurus macrourus" is a scientific name of a rodent known as the long-tailed porcupine. The IPA phonetic transcription of the word helps to understand the spelling and pronunciation of the word. The first two syllables "a-ther" are pronounced as "əˈθɛr," and "urus" is pronounced as "ˈjʊrəs." The final "macrourus" is pronounced as "məˈkruːrəs." This word is commonly used in scientific literature and exemplifies the importance of accurate spelling and pronunciation in scientific research.

ATHERURUS MACROURUS Meaning and Definition

1. Atherurus macrourus, commonly known as the Malayan porcupine, is a species of large terrestrial rodent belonging to the family Hystricidae. This species is native to Southeast Asia, specifically found in countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia.

   The Malayan porcupine is characterized by its robust body, covered in sharp, quill-like spines known as quills or spines. The quills are usually brown or black in color and measure around 30 to 40 centimeters in length. These spines act as a form of defense, being easily raised and erected when the porcupine feels threatened.

   The species has a stocky build, with short legs suited for terrestrial locomotion. Its head is round, featuring a short snout, small ears, and tiny eyes. The Malayan porcupine is primarily nocturnal, spending its days in burrows or hollow trees, emerging at dusk to forage for food.

   As an herbivorous creature, the Malayan porcupine feeds mainly on roots, tubers, fruits, bark, and leaves. It possesses strong jaws adapted for grinding plant matter and has a diverse diet that may include agricultural crops, occasionally leading to conflicts with farmers.

   Due to its adaptability, the Malayan porcupine can inhabit various habitats, including forests, plantations, and even suburban areas. Populations of this species are generally stable, and there are currently no major conservation concerns regarding Atherurus macrourus.

Etymology of ATHERURUS MACROURUS

The word "Atherurus macrourus" is a biological name that is composed of two parts: the genus name "Atherurus" and the species name "macrourus".

The genus name "Atherurus" comes from the Greek words "athēr" meaning "spike" or "barb" and "oura" meaning "tail". This is a reference to the spiky nature of the animal's tail, which is a defining characteristic of the genus.

The species name "macrourus" is also derived from Greek. "Makros" means "long" or "large", and "oura" means "tail". So "macrourus" translates to "long-tailed" or "large-tailed".