gomphothere
1
9.9
A large extinct animal like an elephant that lived in Central and South America long ago
- noun
- /ɡɒmˈfoʊθɪr/
- Specialized
:
gomfotero
- One of the major ones is how the bones of a human and a proboscidean, an order of mammals that includes extinct species such as mastodons, mammoths, and gomphotheres, wound up at the bottom of Hoyo Negro together.
Examples
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Scientists discovered a new species of gomphothere while excavating a site in central Mexico.
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The fossils of gomphotheres provide valuable insights into the ancient ecosystems of South America.
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Paleontologists believe that gomphotheres were among the diverse megafauna that roamed the Earth during the Pleistocene epoch.
Synonyms
9.9
A group of animals like elephants that lived long ago and are now extinct
refers specifically to members from Central and South America during Miocene and Pleistocene
9.9
A large extinct animal like an elephant that lived millions of years ago
refers to a broader group limited to American regions and specific epochs
Surface Forms
gomphothere singular
gomphotheres plural
Etymology
Gomphothere comes from Greek parts gomphos 'nail' or 'peg' and therion 'beast'. These extinct, elephant-like animals had long, nail-like lower tusks, so the name is like 'peg beast' and helps explain their unusual tusks.