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Ascaphus

noun
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As·​ca·​phus | \ ˈaskəfəs \

Definition of Ascaphus

: a genus of western North American toads including only the bell toad which is distinguished by a taillike copulatory organ in the male cloaca and which is sometimes isolated in a separate family (Ascaphidae) but usually included in the Liopelmidae

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History and Etymology for Ascaphus

New Latin, from Greek askaphos not dug about, from a- a- entry 2 + -skaphos (from skaptein to dig); akin to Latin capo capon

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“Ascaphus.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ascaphus. Accessed 25 January 2020.

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