Selenarctos (Noun)
Meaning
Asiatic black bears; in some classifications not a separate genus from Ursus.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Taxonomists debate whether selenarctos is a valid genus for Asiatic black bears or merely a subgenus of Ursus.
- Some species classifications place the Asiatic black bear under the genus selenarctos, while others combine it with Ursus.
- The Asiatic black bear, sometimes classified as selenarctos thibetanus, is found throughout much of Asia.
- In some systems, selenarctos is recognized as a distinct genus within the Ursidae family, specifically for the Asiatic black bear.
- Historically, Asiatic black bears were grouped under the genus selenarctos but that classification has been disputed.