SUBORDER PLESIOSAURIA Meaning and
Definition
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Suborder Plesiosauria is a taxonomic classification within the order of marine reptiles known as Plesiosaurs. It represents a diverse and extinct group of reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic Era, specifically in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The term "suborder" denotes a taxonomic rank below order but above family, indicating a subdivision within the larger group of Plesiosaurs.
Plesiosaurs were characterized by their iconic elongated necks, small heads, and four flippers adapted for swimming in marine environments. The Suborder Plesiosauria encompasses several families and genera, each with their own unique characteristics and adaptations. These reptiles varied in size and shape, ranging from small species that measured around two meters long to gigantic ones reaching up to 15 meters in length.
Plesiosaurs were exclusively marine animals and are believed to have inhabited oceans and seas worldwide. Fossil records indicate that they were dominant predators, feeding on a diet primarily comprised of fish and other marine organisms. They were capable of swift and agile swimming, aided by their streamlined bodies and maneuverable flippers.
The Suborder Plesiosauria played a significant role in the marine ecosystems of the Mesozoic Era, but their extinction occurred around 66 million years ago, perhaps due to the environmental changes resulting from the mass extinction event that eradicated the non-avian dinosaurs. Today, their fossils serve as invaluable tools for understanding the evolutionary history of marine reptiles and the ancient oceans they once inhabited.
Common Misspellings for SUBORDER PLESIOSAURIA
- auborder plesiosauria
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- xuborder plesiosauria
- duborder plesiosauria
- euborder plesiosauria
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- s7border plesiosauria
- suvorder plesiosauria
- sunorder plesiosauria
- suhorder plesiosauria
- sugorder plesiosauria
- subirder plesiosauria
- subkrder plesiosauria
- sublrder plesiosauria
Etymology of SUBORDER PLESIOSAURIA
The word "Plesiosauria" is derived from the Greek words "plesios" meaning "near" and "sauros" meaning "lizard". It was coined by the British paleontologist Richard Owen in 1840 when he described these marine reptiles for the first time. The term "plesiosaur" is related to the physical characteristics of these creatures, specifically their long necks and relatively small heads that create a lizard-like appearance.
Furthermore, the term "suborder" in the classification "Suborder Plesiosauria" indicates that the group of animals being referred to is a taxonomic division within the broader classification of "order". In this case, Plesiosauria is a suborder within the order of "Ichthyosauria", which includes marine reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic Era.
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