asellidae
|a-sel-li-dae|
/əˈsɛlɪdiː/
family of freshwater isopods
Etymology
'Asellidae' originates from New Latin (taxonomic usage), formed from the genus name 'Asellus' plus the family suffix '-idae'.
'Asellidae' was formed in modern biological nomenclature from the Latin genus name 'Asellus' (a diminutive of 'asinus', 'little donkey') and the standard zoological family ending '-idae', resulting in the family name used in current taxonomy.
Initially 'Asellus' in Latin meant 'little donkey'; in scientific usage the derived name 'Asellidae' came to denote a group (family) of crustaceans rather than carrying the original animal-related sense.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a taxonomic family of freshwater isopod crustaceans (order Isopoda), comprising the genus Asellus and related genera; members are typically small, aquatic, and inhabit streams, springs, and groundwater.
Several species of the asellidae are common in European springs and underground waters.
Last updated: 2025/10/27 14:58