Perissodactyla

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An order of hoofed mammals with an odd number of toes, like horses and rhinos

noun
/ˌpɛrɪsəˈdæktɪlə/

Specialized

: Perissodactyla

The rhinoceros is a member of the Perissodactyla order, characterised by an odd number of toes.

Examples

Extinct species of Perissodactyla roamed the ancient grasslands millions of years ago.
Horses and tapirs are grouped together in the mammalian order Perissodactyla.
The Perissodactyla order includes fascinating animals like horses and rhinoceroses.
Did you know that Perissodactyla are characterized by having an odd number of toes?
The horse is a member of the order Perissodactyla, which includes mammals with an odd number of toes.
Tapirs, which belong to the order Perissodactyla, are known for their distinctive snouts.
Rhinoceroses are large animals classified under Perissodactyla due to their unique toe structure.

Surface Forms

Perissodactyla singular

Perissodactyla plural

Morphology

Perissodactyla = perissodactyl (opaque) = perisso + dactyl + a

The name is a specialized scientific taxonomic term formed from Greek combining forms and a classical Latin/Greek plural ending; its components and the grammatical plural '-a' are not transparently meaningful to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Perissodactyla comes from Greek parts perissos meaning 'odd' and dactyl meaning 'finger' or 'toe', the same 'dactyl' you see in pterodactyl. So Perissodactyla is the group of hoofed animals with an odd number of toes, like horses and rhinoceroses.