Placodontidae

Placodontidae

Placodontidae (class Reptilia, subclass Euryapsida) An order of Triassic reptiles which were specialized shellfish feeders. Some were heavily armoured and strongly resembled turtles; while the more lightly armoured varieties, e.g.Placodus, were analogous in general form to the Nothosauria, except for the modifications relating to their molluscan diet. Placodus impressus had large, flat teeth on the palate and lower jaws, webbed fingers and toes, and an elongate tail, and was adapted to feeding on shell banks. Later representatives of the placodont reptiles were more turtle-like.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Placodontidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Placodontidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Placodontidae.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Placodontidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Placodontidae.html

Learn more about citation styles

Placodontidae

Placodontidae Triassic euryapsid reptiles, which were specialized shellfish feeders. Some were heavily armoured and strongly resembled turtles; while the more lightly armoured varieties, e.g. Placodus, were analogous in general form to the nothosaurs, except for modifications relating to their molluscan diet.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Placodontidae." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Placodontidae." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-Placodontidae.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Placodontidae." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-Placodontidae.html

Learn more about citation styles

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

See more pictures of Placodontidae