Reptilia
Definition
Noun 1. A class of vertebrates: Reptilia is the scientific class name for reptiles. This class comprises cold-blooded (ectothermic), air-breathing vertebrates that have a completely ossified (bony) skeleton. Their bodies are typically covered with scales or horny plates. Historically, members of this class were the dominant land animals.
Usage Examples
- The class Reptilia includes animals such as snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles.
- In the Mesozoic Era, dinosaurs, which belonged to the class Reptilia, were the dominant terrestrial fauna.
- The key characteristics of Reptilia distinguish them from amphibians and mammals.
Advanced Usage
- In scientific taxonomy: The term "Reptilia" is used in Linnaean classification. In modern phylogenetic taxonomy, the traditional class "Reptilia" is often grouped with birds under the clade "Sauropsida" or "Reptilia" is redefined to be monophyletic, including birds.
- Modern cladistics places birds within the clade Reptilia.
Variants and Related Words
- Reptile (n): The common term for any member of the class Reptilia.
- A turtle is a type of reptile.
- Reptilian (adj): Of or relating to reptiles.
- The fossil showed clear reptilian features.
Synonyms
- Reptiles (n): The common, non-scientific synonym for the members of this class.
- Herpetofauna (n): A term often used in ecology to collectively refer to reptiles and amphibians.
Related Phrases/Idioms
(The term "Reptilia" itself is a formal scientific term and is not commonly used in idioms or phrasal verbs. Common idioms use the word "reptile.")
Noun
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class of cold-blooded air-breathing vertebrates with completely ossified skeleton and a body usually covered with scales or horny plates; once the dominant land animals
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