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Glite Dictionary
Pantotheria

Pantotheria

9.9
An extinct group of early mammals from the Jurassic that led to marsupials and placental mammals
  • noun
  • Specialized
: Pantoterios
  • Fossils of Pantotheria have helped scientists understand the evolution of modern mammals.

Examples

  • Many paleontologists study Pantotheria to trace mammalian ancestry during the Jurassic period.

  • The discovery of Pantotheria remains provides evidence for the origins of marsupials and placentals.

  • The Pantotheria lived during the Jurassic period.

  • Scientists believe Pantotheria are ancestors of modern mammals.

  • Fossils of Pantotheria have helped scientists understand the evolution of modern mammals.

  • Many paleontologists study Pantotheria to trace mammalian ancestry during the Jurassic period.

  • The discovery of Pantotheria remains provides evidence for the origins of marsupials and placentals.

Surface Forms

Pantotheria singular
Pantotherias plural

Morphology

Pantotheria = Theria (opaque) = pan + theria

Although built from the recognizable combining prefix 'pan-', the term is a specialized taxonomic name and 'theria' is not a familiar standalone English word, so learners cannot reliably infer the meaning.

Etymology

Pantotheria comes from the Greek parts pan- meaning 'all' and theria meaning 'beasts'. So the name suggests a group that included many early kinds of mammals, which fits because Pantotheria refers to an extinct group thought to be ancestors of marsupials and placental mammals.