Desman

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈdÉ›smÉ™n/

Origin

From French desman, German Desman, from Swedish desmanråtta ("muskrat"), from desman ("musk").

Full definition of desman

Noun

1. Either of two species, or , of aquatic or semi-aquatic insectivore of the mole family, Talpidae, found in Europe.
• 1995, R. David Stone (editor), Eurasian Insectivores and Tree Shrews: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan, page 50,Unlike the Russian desman, the Pyrenean species lives along fast-flowing mountain streams.
• 2007, George A. Feldhamer, Lee C. Drickamer, Stephen H. Vessey, Joseph F. Merritt, Carey Krajewski, Mammalogy: Adaptation, Diversity, Ecology, 3rd Edition, page 250,Restricted to the Old World, desmans have a diet consisting of aquatic invertebrates and fish.
• 2010, Joseph F. Merritt, The Biology of Small Mammals, page 38,With the aid of its Eimer's organs, the desman was able to detect engraved lines only one-fifteenth of a millimeter (0.067 mm, or 0.002 inches) in depth and width. There are two extant species of desmans: the Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus), weighing about 65 g (2.3 oz) (fig 2.10), and the larger Russian desman (Desmana moschata), weighing 500 g (17.6 oz).

Derived terms

• (Galemys pyrenaicus)
• (Desmana moschata)

Anagrams

• amends