PERODACTYLUS Meaning and
Definition
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Perodactylus is a term referring to a genus of small to medium-sized carnivorous dinosaurs that lived during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods, approximately 150 to 120 million years ago. It is derived from the Greek words "peron," meaning wing, and "dactylos," meaning finger or toe, indicating the characteristic feature of these dinosaurs: their elongated wing-like fingers.
These dinosaurs are classified under the order Pterosauria and are known for their ability to fly. Perodactylus had a unique skeletal structure that allowed them to have a wingspan of up to two meters, making them some of the largest known flying animals of their time. They possessed a lightweight body, hollow bones, and a membranous wing that stretched from the elongated fourth finger to the toes, allowing them to glide and soar through the skies.
The scientific classification of Perodactylus includes various species discovered in different regions, such as Perodactylus antiquus and Perodactylus longicollum. Fossils of these creatures have been found in Europe, particularly in Germany and England, where they inhabited coastal and swampy environments.
Despite their flying capabilities, Perodactylus were primarily terrestrial animals, using their wings and hind limbs to move on land. They were carnivorous hunters, preying on smaller animals and possibly scavenging on carrion.
In conclusion, Perodactylus refers to a genus of ancient flying reptiles known as pterosaurs that lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. They were characterized by their elongated finger-like wings, allowing them to glide and soar through the skies while primarily functioning as terrestrial hunters.
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A monster with defective fingers or toes.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PERODACTYLUS
- perodactyl
- -pterodactylus
- oerodactylus
- lerodactylus
- -erodactylus
- 0erodactylus
- pwrodactylus
- psrodactylus
- pdrodactylus
- prrodactylus
- p4rodactylus
- p3rodactylus
- peeodactylus
- pedodactylus
- pefodactylus
- petodactylus
- pe5odactylus
- pe4odactylus
- peridactylus
- perkdactylus
Etymology of PERODACTYLUS
The word "Perodactylus" is a combination of two Greek words: "perissos" meaning "uncommon, unusual", and "daktulos" meaning "finger". The term was first used by the French naturalist Georges Cuvier in 1809 to describe a group of flying reptiles, which are now known as pterosaurs. The name "Perodactylus" was chosen due to the unique structure of their wings, with one elongated finger supporting a membrane that allowed them to fly.
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