Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Temnospondyli

Temnospondyli

9.9
A group of large extinct amphibians that lived hundreds of millions of years ago and are known from fossils
  • noun
  • Specialized
: Temnospondyli
  • The Temnospondyli are known for their distinctive vertebrae with partly separate elements, which help paleontologists study their anatomy.

Examples

  • Many paleontologists study Temnospondyli to understand early amphibian evolution.

  • The fossils of Temnospondyli have been found across several continents.

  • Extinct for millions of years, the Temnospondyli left behind a rich fossil record.

  • The Temnospondyli thrived during the Carboniferous period.

  • Many fossils of Temnospondyli have been found in North America.

  • Fossils of the Temnospondyli group provide valuable insights into the climate and ecosystems of the Carboniferous and Permian periods.

  • Research on Temnospondyli has revealed their role in the evolution of amphibians and their adaptation to life on land.

Synonyms

order Temnospondyli
vsTemnospondyli
  • Specialized
9.9

Group of large extinct animals like frogs that lived in or near water a very long time ago

is the same group but stated without the formal taxonomic label

Compounds

order Temnospondyli
  • Specialized
9.9

Group of large extinct animals like frogs that lived in or near water a very long time ago

Surface Forms

Temnospondyli singular
Temnospondylis plural

Etymology

Temnospondyli comes from Greek parts temno- meaning 'cut' and spondyl- meaning 'vertebra', which you can think of as the English 'spine' or 'backbone'. So the name helps you remember that these ancient amphibians had vertebrae made of partly separate pieces.