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Glite Dictionary
Sauropterygia

Sauropterygia

9.9
A group of extinct sea reptiles like plesiosaurs with long necks and flipper-like limbs
  • noun
  • Specialized
: sauropterygio
  • The Sauropterygia were highly adapted for life in ancient seas, with their elongated bodies and paddled limbs.

Examples

  • Modern studies of Sauropterygia help paleontologists understand the evolution of aquatic reptiles.

  • Many fossils of Sauropterygia have been discovered in marine sedimentary rocks from the Mesozoic era.

  • The Sauropterygia thrived in the Mesozoic era.

  • Did you know that Sauropterygians had flipper-like limbs?

  • Numerous specimens of Sauropterygia have been unearthed, providing valuable insights into their adaptations to marine life.

  • Researchers study Sauropterygia to learn more about the unique features that allowed these reptiles to thrive in ancient oceans.

  • The Sauropterygia are known for their distinct flipper-like limbs that made them efficient swimmers in the prehistoric seas.

How Aquatic

Sauropterygia
  • Specialized
9.9
terrestrial
1 4.0

Surface Forms

Sauropterygia singular
Sauropterygians plural

Etymology

Sauropterygia comes from Greek parts sauro- meaning 'lizard' and pteryg- meaning 'fin' or 'wing', as in pterodactyl. So the name is a helpful picture: a group of 'lizard' animals with fin-like, wing-like limbs, which fits these sea reptiles with flippers and long necks.