The correct spelling of the medical term "cancer aquaticus" is often a point of confusion for English speakers. The word, which refers to a type of cancer found in aquatic animals, is pronounced /ˈkænsər/ /əˈkwɑːtɪkəs/ with stress on the first syllable of "cancer" and the second syllable of "aquaticus". The "c" in "cancer" is pronounced as a hard "k" sound, followed by "an" and "cer" with short vowel sounds. "Aquaticus" contains a long "a" sound followed by "kw" and a short "i" sound.
"Cancer aquaticus" is a Latin term that refers to an aquatic animal commonly known as the water crab. The term is derived from the words "cancer," meaning crab, and "aquaticus," meaning related to water or living in water. It is a taxonomical designation used to classify a variety of crabs that inhabit freshwater or brackish aquatic environments.
These crustaceans are generally characterized by their physical appearance, which includes a hard exoskeleton, a flat and broad body, and well-developed limbs adapted for swimming and scavenging on the river or lakebed. The water crab is known for its ability to adapt to various water conditions and can be found in rivers, lakes, ponds, and estuaries around the world.
In terms of behavior and ecological significance, cancer aquaticus species are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on both plant matter and small aquatic animals. They play an essential role in the ecosystem by recycling organic debris, controlling population densities of other aquatic organisms, and serving as prey for larger predators.
While some species of water crabs have economic importance in certain regions as a source of food, many others are appreciated for their aesthetic value in aquariums and as study subjects within the field of marine biology. Nonetheless, it is crucial to emphasize that the term "cancer aquaticus" serves as a taxonomical identifier, encompassing diverse species of water crabs while collectively referring to their aquatic nature and shared characteristics.
Noma.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "cancer aquaticus" originates from Latin. "Cancer" is the Latin word for crab, while "aquaticus" is the Latin word for aquatic. Therefore, "cancer aquaticus" translates to "aquatic crab" in English.