PLANTIGRADA Meaning and
Definition
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Plantigrada is a taxonomic order of mammals that refers to animals with the characteristic of a walking or resting position where the sole of the entire foot, including both the digits and the heel, comes into contact with the ground. The term derives from the Latin words "planta," meaning sole, and "gradi," meaning to walk.
Animals classified under the order Plantigrada exhibit a plantigrade locomotion, which is in stark contrast to the digitigrade locomotion seen in animals such as dogs and cats, where only the digits touch the ground while the heel remains elevated. Plantigrade animals include various species, such as bears, raccoons, badgers, and humans, among others.
Plantigrade locomotion generally allows for greater stability and weight-bearing ability, as the entire foot is capable of providing support and traction. This mode of locomotion is advantageous for animals that require a slow, deliberate movement or those that may need to stand or rest for extended periods. Additionally, the plantigrade posture can often be associated with animals that possess opposable thumbs for grasping or manipulating objects.
In summary, Plantigrada is an order of mammals characterized by the type of locomotion where the entire sole of the foot, including the digits and the heel, makes contact with the ground, providing stability, weight-bearing capacity, and often associated with opposable thumbs.
Common Misspellings for PLANTIGRADA
- olantigrada
- llantigrada
- -lantigrada
- 0lantigrada
- pkantigrada
- ppantigrada
- poantigrada
- plzntigrada
- plsntigrada
- plwntigrada
- plqntigrada
- plabtigrada
- plamtigrada
- plajtigrada
- plahtigrada
- planrigrada
- planfigrada
- plangigrada
- planyigrada
- plan6igrada
Etymology of PLANTIGRADA
The word "Plantigrada" is derived from the Latin phrase "planta gradi", which means "to walk on the sole of the foot". This term is a combination of "planta" meaning "sole" and "gradi" meaning "to walk". "Plantigrada" is used in biology to describe a group of mammals that walk with the entire sole of their feet touching the ground, such as bears and humans.
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