Gomphotheriidae

9.9

A group of animals like elephants that lived long ago and are now extinct

noun
/ɡɒmfəˈθɪəriˌiːdə/

Specialized

: Gomphotheriidae

The Gomphotheriidae possessed shovel-like lower jaws that distinguished them from modern elephants.

Examples

Researchers believe the extinction of Gomphotheriidae may be linked to changing climate and human activity.
Fossils of the Gomphotheriidae have been found on multiple continents, illustrating their widespread range.
The Gomphotheriidae family includes several species of ancient mammals.
Did you know that Gomphotheriidae lived during the Miocene epoch?
Fossils of the Gomphotheriidae have been found on multiple continents, illustrating their widespread range.
Researchers believe the extinction of Gomphotheriidae may be linked to changing climate and human activity.
The Gomphotheriidae possessed shovel-like lower jaws that distinguished them from modern elephants.

Synonyms

gomphothere

vsGomphotheriidae

Specialized

1 9.9

A large extinct animal like an elephant that lived in Central and South America long ago

is a formal scientific family not limited to one region or epoch

Surface Forms

Gomphotheriidae singular

Gomphotheriidaes plural

Morphology

Gomphotheriidae = Gomphotherium (opaque) = Gomphotheri + idae

Formed by adding the specialized taxonomic family suffix '-idae' to a genus name; this is a technical morphological process not transparent to general learners.

Etymology

Gomphotheriidae comes from the Greek parts gomphos ('nail' or 'peg') and therion ('beast'), with -idae showing an animal family. The name gives a clear image of their nail-like, peg-shaped tusks, so Gomphotheriidae are the extinct elephant-like 'beasts' known for big tusks and shovel-like lower jaws.