Archeopteryx (Noun)
Meaning
Extinct primitive toothed bird of the Jurassic period having a long feathered tail and hollow bones; usually considered the most primitive of all birds.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The archeopteryx is widely regarded as the transitional fossil between dinosaurs and birds, exhibiting characteristics of both groups.
- In the late 19th century, the discovery of the archeopteryx in Germany's Solnhofen limestone beds caused a stir in the scientific community.
- Due to its unique combination of reptilian and avian traits, the archeopteryx has been the subject of much study and debate among paleontologists.
- The archeopteryx had a wishbone-shaped collarbone, a characteristic shared by modern birds, and quill knobs, where feathers were attached to bone.
- Fossils of the archeopteryx have provided crucial evidence in understanding the evolution of birds from theropod dinosaurs.