Canis (Noun)
Meaning
Type genus of the Canidae: domestic and wild dogs; wolves; jackals.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The domestic dog, as part of the type genus Canis, is one of the most widespread mammal species globally.
- Recent genetic research shows the domestic dog's origin in Canis lupus familiaris around 15,000 to 30,000 years ago.
- Several of the extant Canis species can hybridize, giving rise to varying numbers of hybrid offspring with uncertain long-term survival rates.
- Several hundred million years of adaptation, dating from their time within Canis lupus familiaris or immediate descendants, explain many present physical differences of today's species descendants within this taxon.
- Modern scientific data describe more of Canis ancestry.