HYPERODONTIDAE Meaning and
Definition
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Hyperodontidae refers to a family of extinct mammals that belong to the order Euterodontia. These mammals lived during the Eocene epoch, approximately 56 to 34 million years ago. The family Hyperodontidae is characterized by their dental morphology, particularly the hypercase pattern exhibited by their teeth.
The hypercase pattern refers to a unique dental characteristic where the upper molars have extremely high crowns, known as hypsodonty, and complexly folded enamel. This adaptation allowed hyperodontids to efficiently break down tough vegetation, suggesting a herbivorous diet. The dental complexity and hypsodonty of hyperodontids are considered adaptations for efficient grinding and chewing of fibrous plant matter.
Hyperodontidae is a relatively small family, with few known species. Fossils of hyperodontids have been discovered in various regions around the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America. They are believed to have diversified during the early Eocene, but their extinction occurred relatively early in the development of modern mammalian lineages.
The study of hyperodontids and their unique dental adaptations has provided valuable insights into the evolutionary history of herbivorous mammals. Their dental characteristics, specifically the hypercase pattern, offer a window into understanding the convergence and divergence of various herbivorous mammal lineages over time.
Common Misspellings for HYPERODONTIDAE
- gyperodontidae
- byperodontidae
- nyperodontidae
- jyperodontidae
- uyperodontidae
- yyperodontidae
- htperodontidae
- hgperodontidae
- hhperodontidae
- huperodontidae
- h7perodontidae
- h6perodontidae
- hyoerodontidae
- hylerodontidae
- hy-erodontidae
- hy0erodontidae
- hypwrodontidae
- hypsrodontidae
- hypdrodontidae
Etymology of HYPERODONTIDAE
The word "Hyperodontidae" is derived from the combination of two components: "hyper-" and "-odontidae".
- The prefix "hyper-" comes from the Greek word "hyper" which means "above" or "beyond". In scientific terminology, it is often used to indicate excessive or increased intensity.
- The suffix "-odontidae" comes from the Greek word "odontos", meaning "tooth". In taxonomy, "-odontidae" is commonly used to denote a family of organisms characterized by dental features.
Therefore, the term "Hyperodontidae" refers to a family of organisms that have dental features that are heightened, surpassing the norm or exhibiting excessive intensity.
Similar spelling word for HYPERODONTIDAE
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