PTEROSAURIA Meaning and
Definition
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Pterosauria, commonly known as pterosaurs, refers to an extinct group of flying reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic Era. Pterosaurs existed from around 228 million years ago until the end of the Cretaceous Period, approximately 66 million years ago. These ancient creatures, often mistakenly called dinosaurs, were not actually dinosaurs but a separate group of reptiles that shared the world with dinosaurs.
Pterosaurs were characterized by their specialized adaptations for flight. They possessed wings consisting of a membrane of skin, muscles, and other tissues stretched between their elongated fourth finger and their body, creating a structure referred to as the wing finger. This wing structure allowed them to fly with great efficiency and maneuverability, making pterosaurs the first vertebrates to achieve true powered flight.
With a wide variety of sizes, pterosaurs ranged from small-sized species with wingspans of just a few inches, such as Nemicolopterus, to gigantic forms like Quetzalcoatlus, which boasted the largest known wingspan of any flying creature, estimated to exceed 33 feet. Pterosaurs exhibited an array of body shapes, from long-necked forms to heavily built species with crests and beaks adapted for different feeding habits.
Despite being extinct for millions of years, pterosaurs have greatly contributed to our understanding of the ancient world and the evolution of flight. Their fossils have been discovered in numerous locations worldwide, shedding light on the incredible diversity and adaptations of these prehistoric fliers.
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In geol., an order of extinct saurians, fitted for aerial flight.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for PTEROSAURIA
- oterosauria
- lterosauria
- -terosauria
- 0terosauria
- prerosauria
- pferosauria
- pgerosauria
- pyerosauria
- p6erosauria
- p5erosauria
- ptwrosauria
- ptsrosauria
- ptdrosauria
- ptrrosauria
- pt4rosauria
- pt3rosauria
- pteeosauria
- ptedosauria
- ptefosauria
Etymology of PTEROSAURIA
The word "pterosauria" comes from the Greek words "ptero" meaning "wing" and "sauros" meaning "lizard". It is a combination of these two words to describe the group of extinct reptiles known as pterosaurs, which were characterized by their wings and lizard-like appearance.
Similar spelling words for PTEROSAURIA
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