NOTOTHERIUM Meaning and
Definition
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Nototherium is an extinct genus of marsupials that belonged to the family Nototheriidae. It existed during the Late Miocene to the Pleistocene epochs, approximately 15 to 1.5 million years ago. Nototherium predominantly inhabited Australia, especially in regions such as Queensland and New South Wales.
The name "Nototherium" is derived from the Greek words "notos" meaning south and "therion" meaning beast, indicating its southern origin and its mammalian nature. This genus is commonly referred to as "southern beast" or "southern marsupial" due to this etymology.
Characteristically, Nototherium possessed a robust and sturdy build. It had a large head with a shortened snout and prominent jaws, suggesting it had a herbivorous diet. Its dentition consisted of elongated incisors and well-developed molars, adapted for chewing and grinding plant material. Size variation existed within this genus, with some species ranging from small to medium, while others attained larger proportions.
Nototherium was known for its bipedal locomotion. It is believed to have used its short forelimbs for manipulating food and its powerful hind limbs for swift mobility. The presence of large clawed digits on its hind feet suggests it may have also been capable of digging burrows or excavating food sources.
Fossil remains of Nototherium, including teeth, skulls, skeleton fragments, and even preserved footprints, have been recovered from various deposits across Australia. These findings have provided valuable insights into the morphology, ecology, and evolutionary history of this extinct marsupial genus.
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In geol., an extinct genus of gigantic quadrupeds found in Australia.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for NOTOTHERIUM
- bototherium
- mototherium
- jototherium
- hototherium
- nitotherium
- nktotherium
- nltotherium
- nptotherium
- n0totherium
- n9totherium
- norotherium
- nofotherium
- nogotherium
- noyotherium
- no6otherium
- no5otherium
- notitherium
- notktherium
- notltherium
- notptherium
Etymology of NOTOTHERIUM
The word "Nototherium" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "notos" meaning "south" and "therion" meaning "beast" or "animal". The term "Nototherium" was given to an extinct genus of marsupial that once inhabited southern Australia during the Pleistocene epoch. The name was chosen due to the southern location of its discovery and its classification as a large animal.
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