POLYPTYCHODON Meaning and
Definition
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Polyptychodon is an extinct genus of marine reptile that falls under the order Plesiosauria, which thrived during the late Cretaceous period, approximately 85-70 million years ago. The term polyptychodon is often used to refer to a group of versatile marine reptiles that exhibit a unique combination of physical characteristics.
Polyptychodons were large marine predators, with long necks, small heads, and paddle-like limbs. They possessed a robust body structure, often reaching lengths of around 10 to 13 meters. Their jaws were equipped with sharp teeth, allowing them to prey on a variety of marine organisms such as fish, mollusks, and smaller reptiles.
The name "polyptychodon" is derived from the Greek words "poly," meaning many, and "ptychē," meaning fold or wrinkle. This likely refers to the complex folding patterns observed in the internal structure of their teeth, distinguishing them from other plesiosaur genera.
Fossils of polyptychodons have been discovered in various locations around the world, including Europe, South America, and Africa. The study of their fossils has provided valuable insights into the diversity and ecology of ancient marine ecosystems.
In summary, polyptychodons were large, predatory marine reptiles that thrived during the late Cretaceous period. Their physical features, including their long necks, small heads, paddle-like limbs, and robust bodies, allowed them to efficiently hunt and capture prey in ancient seas. The complex folding patterns observed in their teeth make them distinct from other plesiosaur genera, and their fossils provide important information about the prehistoric marine environment.
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In geol., a fossil sea-lizard or huge carnivorous saurian.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for POLYPTYCHODON
- oolyptychodon
- lolyptychodon
- -olyptychodon
- 0olyptychodon
- pilyptychodon
- pklyptychodon
- pllyptychodon
- pplyptychodon
- p0lyptychodon
- p9lyptychodon
- pokyptychodon
- popyptychodon
- pooyptychodon
- poltptychodon
- polgptychodon
- polhptychodon
- poluptychodon
- pol7ptychodon
- pol6ptychodon
- polyotychodon
Etymology of POLYPTYCHODON
The word "polyptychodon" is a scientific name given to a genus of extinct marine reptiles, specifically large Jurassic pliosaurid plesiosaurs. The term "polyptychodon" consists of two Greek roots:
1. "Poly-" (πολύ) meaning "many" or "several".
2. "Ptychē" (πτυχή) meaning "fold" or "layer".
The combination of these roots reflects the characteristic feature of plesiosaurs, which had numerous overlapping plates of bone in their skulls.
Therefore, the name "polyptychodon" can be interpreted to mean "many folds" or "many-layered tooth", referring to the complex structure of the teeth seen in members of this genus.
