PLACODERMATA Meaning and
Definition
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Placodermata is a scientific term used to refer to a group of extinct, prehistoric armored fish that lived during the Silurian and Devonian periods, from about 430 to 360 million years ago. The name "Placodermata" is derived from the Greek words "plax" meaning plate and "derma" meaning skin, which accurately describes the distinctive feature of these fish: their strong, bony plates or armor covering their head and trunk.
Placodermata were the first jawed vertebrates, representing an important evolutionary step in the development of vertebrates. They displayed a wide range of body shapes and sizes, from small, bottom-dwelling species to large and highly predatory ones. Some had elaborate facial structures, including spines, ornamental crests, and jointed jaws.
Despite being extinct, Placodermata played an essential role in the evolution of fishes. They possessed jaws that allowed for more effective feeding, preying on smaller fish and invertebrates. This innovation paved the way for the diversification and subsequent rise of jawed fishes in the following periods.
Placodermata are considered to be a paraphyletic group, meaning they include the common ancestor of all living jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes) but do not include all of its descendants. Scientific discoveries and advancements in understanding evolutionary relationships have led to a reorganization of the classification of Placodermata and the placement of various species into different groups.
Today, Placodermata provide valuable insights into the early evolution of jawed vertebrates and serve as a fascinating subject of study for paleontologists and evolutionary biologists.
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In geol., a term applied to the bony-plated or bone-encased fossil fishes of the Old Red Sandstone.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for PLACODERMATA
- olacodermata
- llacodermata
- -lacodermata
- 0lacodermata
- pkacodermata
- ppacodermata
- poacodermata
- plzcodermata
- plscodermata
- plwcodermata
- plqcodermata
- plaxodermata
- plavodermata
- plafodermata
- pladodermata
- placidermata
- plackdermata
- placldermata
- placpdermata
- plac0dermata
Etymology of PLACODERMATA
The word "Placodermata" is derived from the combination of two Greek terms: "plax" meaning "plate" or "plaque", and "derma" meaning "skin" or "covering". Placodermata is a taxonomic group that refers to a now-extinct class of armored prehistoric fishes that lived approximately 420 to 360 million years ago. The name "Placodermata" was chosen to reflect the heavily armored nature of these fishes, as their bodies were covered in bony plates or plates-like structures.
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