HYSTRICIDAE Meaning and
Definition
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Hystricidae is a noun that refers to a family of large, terrestrial rodents commonly known as Old World porcupines. The term comes from the scientific classification of animals, with "hystric-" derived from the Greek word "hystrix" meaning "porcupine," and "-idae" indicating a family or group.
Hystricidae is characterized by its members possessing a coat of sharp, thick quills that serve as their main defense mechanism. These quills cover their bodies and can be raised or erected when the animal feels threatened, creating a formidable deterrent against potential predators. The quills are modified hairs, featuring specialized structures and barbs that make them difficult to dislodge once embedded in an attacker.
The family Hystricidae is primarily found in Africa, Asia, and southern Europe, occupying various habitats such as forests, grasslands, and rocky areas. They are primarily herbivores, feeding on plant material like leaves, bark, fruits, and roots. Old World porcupines are generally solitary creatures, except during mating season.
Although similar in appearance to New World porcupines found in the Americas, Old World porcupines belong to a different family. In contrast to New World porcupines which have freely movable quills, the quills of Hystricidae are firmly attached and can detach in defense. Hystricidae plays an important ecological role by limiting the growth of vegetation through their feeding habits, and their quills also provide protection from predators in their respective habitats.
Common Misspellings for HYSTRICIDAE
- gystricidae
- bystricidae
- nystricidae
- jystricidae
- uystricidae
- yystricidae
- htstricidae
- hgstricidae
- hhstricidae
- hustricidae
- h7stricidae
- h6stricidae
- hyatricidae
- hyztricidae
- hyxtricidae
- hydtricidae
- hyetricidae
- hywtricidae
- hysrricidae
Etymology of HYSTRICIDAE
The word "Hystricidae" has its roots in Latin and Greek. Let's break it down:
- "Hystric-" comes from the Greek word "huistrikos", meaning "porcupine".
- "-idae", as a suffix in taxonomy, is commonly used to denote a family. The suffix comes from the Latin word "idae", which ultimately derives from the Greek "eídēs", meaning "similar to" or "belonging to".
Putting it together, "Hystricidae" means "family of porcupines" or "porcupine-like". It is the scientific family name for the Old World porcupines, a group of rodents within the order Rodentia.
Similar spelling words for HYSTRICIDAE
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