Prionodura
pry-oh-noh-DOO-ra
Genus
Saw-tail
Literally: saw + tail
| Part | Meaning | Language | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| prion- | a saw | Greek (=prion, -o) | combining form priono-, final -o- here serves as connecting vowel |
| -o- | connecting vowel | standard Greek combining vowel linking the two roots | |
| -ura | the tail | Greek (ur, =a, -o) | standalone form ura (oura); feminine ending agrees with genus gender |
Prionodura is a compound Greek noun used as a genus name, treated as feminine Latin in nomenclature. It joins prion- (saw) via the connecting vowel -o- to -oura (tail). The name alludes to the serrated or saw-like appearance of the tail feathers. There is no separate specific epithet here — this is a genus name only.
Pronunciation
- pry-oh-noh-DOO-ra Penult rule 4: the penult syllable '-du-' has the vowel u followed by a single consonant (r); most penults whose vowel is u receive stress on the penult.
Other readings
A reading of 'prion + odo + ura' (saw + tooth + tail) is tempting but the dictionary 'nod/odo' (toothless) would not fit the meaning; the clean prion-o-ura segmentation is strongly preferred.
Prionodura newtonia (De Vis, 1883) is the Golden Bowerbird of Queensland, Australia. The name refers to the stiff, saw-edged outer tail feathers of the male. The Greek source οὐρά (oura) = tail also appears in Diplodocus, Pterosauria, etc. The Greek πρίων (prion) = saw also appears in genus names such as Prionodon and Prionurus.