ALCIDAE Meaning and
Definition
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Alcidae refers to a family of seabirds commonly known as auks or alcids. It is a group of birds comprising approximately 25 species. Members of the Alcidae family are found in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. They are well-adapted to marine environments and spend the majority of their lives on or near the sea.
Auks have distinctive physical characteristics that make them easily recognizable. They possess compact bodies with short wings and legs, which are situated far back on their body. This physique allows them to be agile swimmers and divers. Typically, auks have a black or dark-colored plumage, often complemented with striking features like white patches, crests, or markings around their eyes.
These birds are adapted for a pelagic lifestyle, as they can dive to considerable depths and remain underwater for extended periods in search of their primary diet, which mainly consists of fish and invertebrates such as krill and zooplankton. Alcidae species are known for their exceptional underwater swimming and diving abilities.
The breeding behavior of alcids is also noteworthy. They usually nest in large colonies, with some species congregating in massive colonies comprising thousands or even millions of individuals. Auks construct nests on cliff ledges, rocky areas, or in burrows in the ground. They lay a single egg per breeding season, with both parents sharing incubation duties.
Due to their dependence on marine ecosystems, alcids are considered bioindicators of the health of their habitats and the overall state of the ocean. The Alcidae family plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems, serving as essential links in the food web and contributing to nutrient cycling.
Common Misspellings for ALCIDAE
- zlcidae
- slcidae
- wlcidae
- qlcidae
- akcidae
- apcidae
- aocidae
- alxidae
- alvidae
- alfidae
- aldidae
- alcudae
- alcjdae
- alckdae
- alcodae
- alc9dae
- alc8dae
- alcisae
- alcixae
- lacidae
Etymology of ALCIDAE
The word "Alcidae" is derived from the Latin term "Alca" which originally referred to the auk, a type of seabird. The plural form of this Latin word is "Alcae", which eventually led to the modern scientific family name "Alcidae".
The Latin term "Alca" itself has uncertain origins, but it is believed to have been borrowed from another ancient language, possibly Celtic. The bird referred to as "Alca" was most likely the Common Guillemot (Uria aalge), a member of the auk family. Over time, the term "Alcidae" has been used to encompass various species of alcids, including auks, puffins, and murres.
It's worth noting that the etymology is specifically related to the family name "Alcidae" in a scientific context, rather than the word itself.
Similar spelling words for ALCIDAE
- olustee,
- Alcedio,
- wellused,
- alkyd,
- allist,
- ELICITE,
- 'illicite,
- illust.,
- Alesta,
- Elysiidae,
- Oleosity,
- wheeliest,
- WIHLST,
- illicite,
- ELAST,
- alciati,
- willowiest,
- al-Qaida,
- whalest,
- alectura,
- alligood,
- aalost,
- wallisite,
- 'iljust,
- ALJST,
- illest,
- oilseed,
- ILSSDD,
- aliased,
- OHLSD,
- olst,
- ILIST,
- willest,
- Whilst,
- wiliest,
- ALSST,
- wellset,
- IELST,
- yellowiest,
- ALSAT,
- allseed,
- ILSTE,
- illused,
- uliastai,
- alawsat,
- illeist,
- aalst,
- ULSD,
- wellsite,
- Alista,
- Aeolist,
- algoid,
- elstow,
- elsewhat,
- alist,
- yellowest,
- alzado,
- illicit,
- esch-sur-alzette,
- eliasite,
- ELST,
- ALSDE,
- el cid,
- alljust,
- alost,
- al-Qaeda,
- wholist,
- ILOST,
- ELACID,
- elasto,
- walliest,
- oiliest,
- elaeocyte,
- elicit-r,
- wheelset,
- alciato,
- alucita,
- al-Qa'ida,
- woolliest,
- Alucido,
- alcedo,
- owliest,
- alzette,
- ULUESD,
- ILAST,
- waliest,
- alcides,
- Yellowseed,
- eeliest,
- alizadeh,
- wooliest,
- elswit,
- Alzate,
- alcid,
- elsayed,
- aelst,
- ILSWD,
- ilesite,
- aloeswood,
- alligator,
- allowest,
- ILSAT,
- ellisite,
- ALAISAD,
- algid,
- Alcide,
- ELCID,
- elicit,
- alectis,
- Elucid.
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