Bufonidae

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A family of amphibians characterized by their stout bodies and warty skin, commonly known as true toads
2. This group includes various species that are typically terrestrial and often found in moist environments
3. Members of this family are known for their distinctive vocalizations during breeding seasons, which can vary significantly among species

Etymology: Bufonidae is a scientific name, so its history lies in its construction. The stem comes from Latin "bufo," the ordinary word for a toad, which also gives the genus "Bufo" that the family is named after. Naturalists classifying amphibians took that Latin stem and gave the group a formal Latin name. The ending "-idae" is a family-name suffix used throughout zoology. It derives from Greek patronymics, forms that meant "son of" someone, so a family name in biology works much like a statement of descent from a founding member. Here the founding member is the genus "Bufo," and every species in the family is placed within that toad lineage.

Synonyms: true toads