Crossopterygian (Noun)
Meaning
Any fish of the order Crossopterygii; most known only in fossil form.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The fossil record shows that the crossopterygian originated during the Devonian period and went extinct at the end of the Triassic.
- The discovery of the Coelacanth, a living crossopterygian, in the 1930s sent shockwaves through the scientific community.
- Most crossopterygians are known only in fossil form, with many species identified based on fragmentary remains.
- The distinctive fins and scales of the crossopterygian set it apart from other ancient fish.
- During the Paleozoic era, crossopterygians were a diverse and widespread group, with many species adapted to different aquatic environments.