CHELONIAN Meaning and
Definition
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Chelonian refers to any vertebrate animal belonging to the order Testudines, which comprises turtles, tortoises, and terrapins. Chelonians are characterized by their distinctive bony or cartilaginous shell, known as a carapace, that encloses and protects their body. This order of reptiles is regarded as one of the oldest living groups of vertebrates, having evolved more than 200 million years ago.
Chelonians are well adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle, with most species possessing limbs modified into paddles or flippers for efficient movement in water. They typically have a broad, flattened body and a beak-like mouth designed for their herbivorous or omnivorous diet, which primarily consists of plants, algae, fruits, insects, or small animals.
One remarkable feature of chelonians is their ability to retract their head, neck, and limbs inside their protective shell, providing excellent defense against predators. They also exhibit a long lifespan, with some species capable of surpassing a century.
Due to their unique anatomy and biology, chelonians have received significant attention from biologists and conservationists. They play important ecological roles, such as seed dispersal and maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems. However, many chelonian species face numerous threats, including habitat destruction, pollution, poaching, and the illegal pet trade, making them a focus of conservation efforts around the globe.
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Pert. to the chelonia or tortoise and turtle tribe.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for CHELONIAN
- xhelonian
- vhelonian
- fhelonian
- dhelonian
- cgelonian
- cbelonian
- cnelonian
- cjelonian
- cuelonian
- cyelonian
- chwlonian
- chslonian
- chdlonian
- chrlonian
- ch4lonian
- ch3lonian
- chekonian
- cheponian
- cheoonian
Etymology of CHELONIAN
The word "chelonian" is derived from the Greek word "khelone" (χελώνη), which means "tortoise". It is a combination of "khelōnē" (χελώνη), meaning "tortoise", and the suffix "-ian", which indicates "belonging to" or "pertaining to". Therefore, "chelonian" describes something related to or belonging to tortoises and turtles.
Similar spelling words for CHELONIAN
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