SUBORDER MANIRAPTORA Meaning and
Definition
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Suborder Maniraptora is a scientific term used in the field of paleontology to categorize a specific subgroup within the order Dinosauria. It is used to classify a diverse group of feathered dinosaurs that are mainly known for their bird-like characteristics.
The term "suborder" refers to a taxonomical rank below an order but above a infraorder. In this case, Maniraptora is the suborder, which is further classified under the larger dinosaur order. The name Maniraptora is derived from Latin roots, with "mani" referring to the hand and "raptora" meaning "seizer" or "grabber". This name is indicative of the defining feature of this subgroup, which is the modified hand structure seen in both dinosaurs and birds.
Members of the suborder Maniraptora share several key characteristics, including a partially reversed, grasping hand that contains three fingers, a lightweight skeleton, and feathers. They are believed to have evolved from a common ancestor with the dinosaurs and gradually developed avian characteristics, eventually leading to the evolution of modern birds.
Famous members of this suborder include the Velociraptors and the Archaeopteryx, which are considered to bridge the gap between dinosaurs and birds. The study of Maniraptora is crucial to understanding the evolutionary history of birds, as they represent the closest relatives to the avian lineage within the dinosauria.
Common Misspellings for SUBORDER MANIRAPTORA
- auborder maniraptora
- zuborder maniraptora
- xuborder maniraptora
- duborder maniraptora
- euborder maniraptora
- wuborder maniraptora
- syborder maniraptora
- shborder maniraptora
- sjborder maniraptora
- siborder maniraptora
- s8border maniraptora
- s7border maniraptora
- suvorder maniraptora
- sunorder maniraptora
- suhorder maniraptora
- sugorder maniraptora
- subirder maniraptora
- subkrder maniraptora
- sublrder maniraptora
Etymology of SUBORDER MANIRAPTORA
The word "Maniraptora" is derived from two Greek words: "mani" meaning slender or thin, and "raptores" meaning snatchers or thieves. This term was first used by British paleontologist Harry Seeley in 1887 to describe a group of dinosaurs characterized by their slender hands with sharp, curved claws, which were believed to have been used for grasping or snatching prey.
The term "Suborder" refers to a taxonomic rank in the classification of organisms, indicating a level below Order and above Infraorder. So, "Suborder Maniraptora" refers to a subgroup or subcategory within the larger taxonomic order of dinosaurs.
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