Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Diapsida

Diapsida

9.9
A group of reptiles like lizards and crocodiles with two openings in each side of the skull
  • noun
  • /daɪˈæpsɪdə/
  • Specialized
: Diapsida
  • The group Diapsida is distinguished by two openings in each side of the skull.

Examples

  • Modern classification often splits former Diapsida into Lepidosauria and Archosauria.

  • Many paleontologists classify dinosaurs as members of the Diapsida based on skull structure.

  • The Diapsida group includes many fascinating reptiles.

  • The Diapsida classification includes both dinosaurs and modern reptiles.

  • Many paleontologists classify dinosaurs as members of the Diapsida based on their distinctive skull openings.

  • The group Diapsida includes a variety of reptiles, characterized by two openings in each side of their skulls.

  • Modern classification often divides the reptiles within Diapsida into the subgroups Lepidosauria and Archosauria.

Surface Forms

Diapsida singular
Diapsidas plural

Morphology

Diapsida = diapsid (opaque) = di + apsid + a

The formation of the taxonomic name from the adjective 'diapsid' by adding the nominalizing suffix '-a' is a regular and predictable step.

Etymology

The word Diapsida comes from the Greek parts di- meaning 'two' and -apsida from apsis meaning 'opening', so it means animals with 'two openings' in each side of the skull. That's why Diapsida is the name for the reptile group that has two skull openings, including many dinosaurs and modern lizards and crocodiles.