What does anura mean?
Anura is the scientific name of the order that includes frogs and toads. Its members are amphibians generally distinguished by their compact bodies, powerful hind limbs, and the absence of a tail in adults. The name reflects this last feature: it was formed from Greek elements meaning “without” and “tail.” The capitalized form “Anura” is used when discussing the order as a formal taxonomic group, as in studies of amphibian evolution, conservation, or biodiversity. An individual member may be called an anura, while “anuran” functions as both adjective and noun and is common in specialist writing. Although “frogs and toads” is the most accessible expression for general audiences, “Anura” is valuable in biological contexts because it groups the animals by a recognized scientific classification. The term is relatively uncommon outside zoology, herpetology, and related fields.
nounAnura is the taxonomic order comprising frogs and toads, whose adults lack tails. The term may also refer collectively to these amphibians or, in a count use, to an individual frog or toad.
- The taxonomic order comprising frogs and toads.
- A frog or toad, especially when regarded collectively as a member of this order.
"The reserve provides breeding habitat for several species within Anura."
"Anura is one of the most diverse groups of living amphibians."
"Each anura in the collection is identified by its species and collection locality."
Use “anuras” for multiple individual frogs or toads in a count sense. “Anura” remains unchanged when used as the name of the taxonomic order.
"The field survey recorded anuras near several temporary ponds."
Anura means “without a tail”: adult frogs and toads have none, although their tadpole stage begins with one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does anura come from?
Anura comes through New Latin from Greek ánoura, meaning “tail-less.” Its elements are the Greek prefix an-, meaning “without,” and oura, meaning “tail,” a reference to the absence of a tail in adult frogs and toads. Related zoological terms include anourous, “tail-less,” and compounds based on the same Greek element for tail, such as uropod and uropygial.
Related word forms
How anura is actually used
In formal biological writing, “Anura” is normally capitalized when it names the taxonomic order. The adjective and noun “anuran” are often more natural when referring individually or descriptively to these animals.
Easily confused with anura
Anura is a taxonomic order of amphibians, whereas anuria is a medical condition involving the absence or greatly reduced production of urine.