Diapsid Reptile (Noun)
Meaning
Reptile having a pair of openings in the skull behind each eye.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Diapsid reptiles have been on the planet for over 300 million years and include some of the most fascinating creatures in the animal kingdom.
- Snakes and lizards are two groups of diapsid reptiles that are very distinct but share a common ancestor.
- In contrast to synapsid mammals and anapsid turtles, diapsid reptiles have a specific skull anatomy that defines their group.
- Crocodiles and birds are also diapsid reptiles, although their skulls may have undergone significant changes over time.
- Many fossil discoveries have shed light on the evolution of diapsid reptiles and their diversification on land and in the water.