MULTUNGULATE Meaning and
Definition
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Multungulate is an adjective that refers to animals belonging to the order Multungulata. It is derived from the Latin words "multi," meaning many, and "ungulatus," meaning hooved. Multungulate animals are characterized by their possession of multiple hooves on their feet. This unique trait distinguishes them from other hoofed animals, such as perissodactyls (which have a single central hoof) or artiodactyls (which have an even number of hooves).
The order Multungulata includes extinct mammals that lived during the Paleocene and Eocene epochs, such as Coryphodon, Barylambda, and Homacodon. These prehistoric creatures typically had a diverse range of dental morphology and limb structure, reflecting their adaptation to different types of habitats and diets.
Multungulate animals were prominent during the early evolution of hoofed mammals. They played a significant role in the transition from primitive, small-bodied forms to larger herbivorous mammals that dominated the later epochs. Their diverse range of hoof structures likely allowed them to explore various ecological niches during this transitional period.
Today, the order Multungulata no longer exists as a distinct taxonomic group. The animals that once belonged to this order are now classified under different orders, such as Dinocerata and Condylarthra. Nonetheless, the term "multungulate" continues to serve as a descriptive term in zoology to denote the ancient ancestors of modern hoofed animals, highlighting their distinctive hoof adaptations.
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Having the hoof divided into more than two parts.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for MULTUNGULATE
- nultungulate
- kultungulate
- jultungulate
- myltungulate
- mhltungulate
- mjltungulate
- miltungulate
- m8ltungulate
- m7ltungulate
- muktungulate
- muptungulate
- muotungulate
- mulrungulate
- mulfungulate
- mulgungulate
- mulyungulate
- mul6ungulate
- mul5ungulate
- multyngulate
- multhngulate
Etymology of MULTUNGULATE
The word "multungulate" is a combination of two Latin roots: "multi-" meaning "many" or "multiple", and "ungulatus", which means "hoofed" or "having hooves". "Ungulatus" is derived from "ungula", referring to the hoof of an animal. Hence, "multungulate" can be understood to mean "many-hoofed" or "having multiple hooves". In the context of zoology, it is used to describe animals with several hooves, such as camels, llamas, giraffes, and deer.
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