Saurischia (Noun)
Meaning
Extinct terrestrial reptiles: theropods (carnivorous); sauropods (herbivorous).
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Saurischia is an order of reptiles dominated by sauropods that lived during the Triassic and Jurassic periods, having adapted to herbivore lifestyles.
- The Saurischia dinosaurs can be divided into two distinct subgroups, one being the primarily carnivorous theropod subgroup and the other subgroup, the long-necked sauropods.
- Characterized by a pelvis structure similar to that of modern lizards, Saurischia species developed into significantly diverse lineages over millions of years.
- Saurischia, as an order, can be contrasted with the ornithischian dinosaurs due to several distinct physical and biological dissimilarities, such as pelvic anatomy.
- A distinct group within Saurischia are the carnivorous theropods that include well-known species like Tyrannosaurus and Velociraptor, displaying advanced characteristics related to their hunting abilities.