Definition

1. Noun:
   • A former taxonomic group of mammals: In older biological classification systems, "Ungulata" was a major order or division that included all hoofed mammals. This grouping is now considered obsolete.
   • Hoofed mammals collectively: The term refers to mammals characterized by the presence of hooves, which are modified toenails or claws.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The class Ungulata once included animals as diverse as horses and cows.
  • Modern taxonomy has split the traditional Ungulata into two distinct orders.

Advanced Usage

• "Ungulate" as a related term: While "Ungulata" is an obsolete taxonomic rank, the adjective "ungulate" is still commonly used in zoology to describe any hoofed mammal.
  • Elephants, though not in the old Ungulata, are also considered ungulates due to their nail-hoof structure.

Variants and Related Words

• Ungulate (n/adj): A hoofed mammal; or relating to hoofed mammals.
  • Deer and rhinoceroses are both ungulates.
• Perissodactyla (n): The modern order of odd-toed ungulates (e.g., horses, rhinos, tapirs).
• Artiodactyla (n): The modern order of even-toed ungulates (e.g., cows, pigs, deer, camels).

Synonyms

• Hoofed mammals: The general descriptive term for animals in this group.
• Ungulates: The modern, non-taxonomic term for these animals.

Notes on Meaning

• Historical vs. Modern Use: It is crucial to distinguish the historical use of "Ungulata" as a formal taxonomic category from the contemporary, informal use of "ungulate" to describe a morphological trait (having hooves). The word "Ungulata" itself is primarily encountered in historical scientific texts.

Noun

1. in former classifications a major division of Mammalia comprising all hoofed mammals; now divided into the orders Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates) and Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)