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Glite Dictionary
Stenopterygius quadrisicissus

Stenopterygius quadrisicissus

9.9
An extinct sea reptile that lived during the Jurassic period
  • noun
  • Specialized
: Stenopterygius quadrisicissus
  • Scientists often study Stenopterygius quadrisicissus to better understand marine reptiles of the Jurassic period.

Examples

  • The fossil of Stenopterygius quadrisicissus was discovered in the Jurassic strata of Germany.

  • Unlike some other ichthyosaurs, Stenopterygius quadrisicissus had distinct features in its fin structure.

  • The fossil of Stenopterygius quadrisicissus was discovered in Germany.

  • Did you know that Stenopterygius quadrisicissus lived during the Jurassic period?

  • Researchers have identified Stenopterygius quadrisicissus as an important species for studying Jurassic marine ecosystems.

  • The well-preserved fossil of Stenopterygius quadrisicissus provides insights into the anatomy of ichthyosaurs during the Jurassic.

  • Paleontologists recently unearthed a complete skeleton of Stenopterygius quadrisicissus in a limestone quarry from the Jurassic period.

Surface Forms

Stenopterygius quadrisicissus singular
Stenopterygius quadrisicissi plural

Morphology

Stenopterygius + quadrisicissus

This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name: the first element identifies a genus but the second element 'quadrisicissus' is not an English word and has no transparent meaning for a B1 learner. Even if learners recognise 'Stenopterygius' as a genus of marine reptiles, the species epithet is arbitrary/technical and does not allow someone who knows the parts to infer the phrase means an extinct ichthyosaur species.

Etymology

Stenopterygius quadrisicissus comes from Greek and Latin words: steno- meaning 'narrow' and pterygius meaning 'fin', plus quadri- meaning 'four', so it may refer to a narrow-finned animal with four notable fin features. This picture helps you remember that Stenopterygius quadrisicissus is a fish-like marine reptile from the Jurassic.