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Glite Dictionary
Synapsida

Synapsida

9.9
A group of animals like reptiles from long ago that are early ancestors of mammals
  • noun
  • /sɪˈnæpsɪdə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sinápsidos
  • Many textbooks illustrate the transition from Synapsida to true mammals during the Jurassic period.

Examples

  • Paleontologists have found fossils of Synapsida in many parts of the world.

  • The Synapsida lived during the Permian period.

  • The evolution of mammals can be traced back to early Synapsida.

  • Many fossils of Synapsida have been discovered in North America.

  • The fossil records show that the Synapsida lived during the Permian and Jurassic periods.

  • Scientists believe that the characteristics of the Synapsida paved the way for the evolution of mammals.

  • Many features found in mammals can be traced back to their ancestors in the Synapsida.

Surface Forms

Synapsida singular
Synapsidas plural

Morphology

Synapsida = synapsid (opaque) = syn + apsid + a

The change from 'synapsid' to the taxonomic name 'Synapsida' is a standard suffixation (-a) used in scientific classification, but this is specialized naming not familiar to general learners.

Etymology

Synapsida comes from Greek parts syn- meaning 'together' (the same root as synchronize) and -apsida meaning 'arch' or 'opening'. So the name points to their skull shape with a single opening, a feature that helps explain why these ancient reptiles are seen as the ancestors of mammals.