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Glite Dictionary
Rhynchocephalia

Rhynchocephalia

1 9.9
A group of reptiles that includes the tuatara and some extinct species
  • noun
  • /ˌrɪŋkəˈsɛfəliə/
  • Specialized
: rincocefalia
  • Scientists study Rhynchocephalia to understand the evolution of reptiles since it encompasses several extinct species.

Examples

  • The order Rhynchocephalia includes the tuatara, which is the only living member of this ancient group of reptiles.

  • Skull of a tuatara (a), a member of the order Rhynchocephalia, is relatively rigid.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Joints of the skull and jaws (arrows) help distinguish members of the order Squamata (lizards and snakes) from one another and from members of the closely related order Rhynchocephalia.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Our story begins when squamates and their nearest relatives, the Rhynchocephalia ("beak-headed" reptiles, so named because their jaws have a beaklike tip) split from a common ancestor.

    Academic text (2006)

  • The unique characteristics of Rhynchocephalia distinguish them from other reptiles, particularly in their skull structure.

Synonyms

order Rhynchocephalia
vsRhynchocephalia
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of reptiles that includes the living tuatara and extinct relatives

is the same taxonomic group but named without the explicit rank word

Compounds

order Rhynchocephalia
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of reptiles that includes the living tuatara and extinct relatives

Surface Forms

Rhynchocephalia singular
Rhynchocephalias plural

Etymology

Rhynchocephalia comes from Greek parts rhyncho- meaning 'snout' and -cephalia meaning 'head', the same 'rhino' you know from rhinoceros. So the name means 'snout-headed', which fits this order of reptiles that includes the tuatara and many extinct species.