STEREOSPONDYLI Meaning and
Definition
-
Stereospondyli is a term used in paleontology to refer to an extinct order of prehistoric amphibians that lived during the Carboniferous to Permian periods, approximately 350 million to 250 million years ago. The name Stereospondyli is derived from the Greek words "stereos," meaning solid, and "spondyli," meaning vertebra. This collective term describes a group of large, stocky amphibians characterized by their solid vertebral column.
These ancient amphibians were among the first tetrapods to emerge in the transition from aquatic to terrestrial lifestyles. Stereospondyli typically possessed a robust body structure and a relatively short skull, with some species exhibiting elongated jaws and teeth, suggesting possible adaptations for capturing prey. Some had strong limbs adapted for locomotion in water, while others had stouter limbs indicating adaptations for movement on land.
Stereospondyli species displayed diverse ecological roles, occupying various habitats including rivers, lakes, swamps, and even marine environments. Their lifestyle ranged from fully aquatic to semi-aquatic, and some even exhibited limited terrestrial adaptations.
Fossil findings of Stereospondyli have been discovered on different continents, indicating their worldwide distribution. This group of amphibians played a significant evolutionary role during the Paleozoic Era, contributing to the development of subsequent amphibian lineages and providing important insights into the evolutionary transition of vertebrates from aquatic to terrestrial habitats.
Common Misspellings for STEREOSPONDYLI
- atereospondyli
- ztereospondyli
- xtereospondyli
- dtereospondyli
- etereospondyli
- wtereospondyli
- srereospondyli
- sfereospondyli
- sgereospondyli
- syereospondyli
- s6ereospondyli
- s5ereospondyli
- stwreospondyli
- stsreospondyli
- stdreospondyli
- strreospondyli
- st4reospondyli
- st3reospondyli
- steeeospondyli
Etymology of STEREOSPONDYLI
The word "stereospondyli" comes from ancient Greek root terms. The prefix "stereo-" means "solid" or "thick", and "spondyli" refers to "vertebrae". In taxonomic terms, Stereospondyli is a group of extinct amphibians characterized by their solid vertebral columns.
Similar spelling words for STEREOSPONDYLI
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
