Genus Pygopus (Noun)
Meaning
Type genus of the Pygopodidae; snake-shaped pleurodont lizard with no forelimbs and only rudimentary hind limbs.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The genus Pygopus is a type of snake-shaped lizard that belongs to the family Pygopodidae, characterized by the absence of forelimbs and reduced hind limbs.
- Pygopus is the type genus of the Pygopodidae family, comprising several species of legless or nearly legless lizards.
- Species within the genus Pygopus exhibit a range of adaptations for their burrowing lifestyle, including pointed snouts and powerful tails.
- The genus Pygopus is often referred to as snake-lizards due to their elongated bodies and lack of limbs, although they are actually a type of pleurodont lizard.
- In the context of reptile evolution, the genus Pygopus is an interesting example of limb reduction, with many species having lost their forelimbs entirely and retaining only vestigial hind limbs.