Daphniidae
/ˌdæfniˈaɪdiːə/noun
A family of small freshwater crustaceans commonly known as water fleas, including the genus Daphnia.
Did you know?The genus name Daphnia was inspired by Daphne, the Greek mythological nymph who was transformed into a laurel tree, although the scientific name itself does not mean that the animal transforms.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Δάφνη (Dáphnē)
“Daphne, a mythological nymph associated with transformation into a laurel tree”
18th Century
Scientific Latin
Daphnia
“The genus name established for these small freshwater crustaceans”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Daphniidae
“A zoological family name formed from Daphnia with the standard family suffix -idae”
Modern English
English
Daphniidae
“The taxonomic family containing water fleas such as Daphnia”