Sirenidae
/saɪˈrɛnɪdiː/noun
A family of aquatic salamanders with elongated bodies, small forelimbs, and no hind limbs.
Did you know?Sirenidae is built from the same ancient Greek word that gave us “siren,” the song-bewitching figure of myth, because scientists loved the eerie, serpentine look of these amphibians.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
seirēn
“A Siren, a dangerous mythical creature whose song lured sailors”
Late Latin
Latin
sīrēna
“A siren or mermaid-like being”
18th–19th Century
New Latin
Sirenidae
“The zoological family name formed for these salamanders”
Modern English
English
sirenid(s)
“Members of the salamander family Sirenidae”