VANDELLIA Meaning and
Definition
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Vandellia is a genus of small parasitic catfish belonging to the family Trichomycteridae, commonly known as vampire fish or candiru. These fish are typically found in freshwater rivers and streams of South America, particularly in the Amazon basin.
The name "Vandellia" is derived from the indigenous Tupi language, referring to these fish as "vandelli," meaning sharp, pointed, or piercing. This name is fitting, considering the unique and infamous feeding behavior of the species within this genus.
Vandellia species are recognized for their parasitic nature, specifically their inclination to invade the gill chambers or other body openings of larger fish or mammals. They attach themselves to the host's flesh using highly specialized spines, which are equipped with backward-pointed barbs. Once attached, they feed on the blood or tissue of the host, thus earning the iconic moniker "vampire fish."
These parasitic catfish have gained notoriety due to rare instances of them allegedly attacking humans. Although their primary target is the gill area of larger fish, they have been reported to mistakenly invade the urethral opening of humans while swimming in rivers. These incidents have given rise to stories of individuals needing surgical intervention to remove the fish.
The Vandellia genus consists of several species, with Vandellia cirrhosa being the most well-known. Despite their small size, typically less than 2.5 centimeters, Vandellia species have become the subject of curiosity and caution, capturing the imagination and concern of those living or visiting the waters they inhabit.
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A genus of plants of the order Scrofulariaceae, the figwort family.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for VANDELLIA
- Vandalia
- vandrelia
- vandeelia
- candellia
- bandellia
- gandellia
- fandellia
- vzndellia
- vsndellia
- vwndellia
- vqndellia
- vabdellia
- vamdellia
- vajdellia
- vahdellia
- vansellia
- vanxellia
- vancellia
- vanfellia
- vanrellia
Etymology of VANDELLIA
The etymology of the word "Vandellia" is derived from the genus name Vandellia, which is a taxonomic genus of parasitic catfish found in South America. The genus was named in honor of the Italian zoologist Domenico Vandelli, who was a professor at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, and a contemporary of the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus. The name Vandelli serves as a tribute to Domenico Vandelli's contributions to the field of zoology.
Similar spelling words for VANDELLIA
- funitel,
- Vauntlay,
- fendahl,
- vendola,
- in-finitely,
- vantil,
- over-fondly,
- vantol,
- vendela,
- vandalia,
- Fontal,
- ventile,
- vandella,
- de-finitely,
- Phenetol,
- fontella,
- finitely-generated,
- vandal,
- Vandell,
- vendel,
- fundal,
- Findlay,
- vondel,
- fondle,
- Vontell,
- faintly,
- fendley,
- Vanadyl,
- findlaw,
- phenetole,
- Fiendly,
- Vandelia,
- vandel,
- fandel,
- vantuyl,
- ventaile,
- VNJTL,
- feignedly,
- vandaele,
- ventayle,
- Findley,
- ventail,
- FNDLY,
- finitely,
- ventola,
- vandall,
- vandal-proof,
- FOUNTL,
- Vondell,
- fondly,
- fendall,
- fantail,
- vindaloo,
- FONDL,
- fantle,
- vandola.
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