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Rhynchocephalia

Rhynchocephalia

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | | Copyright

Rhynchocephalia (‘beak-heads’, rhynchocephalians; class Reptilia) Order of primitive, lizard-like reptiles dating from the Triassic and often cited as a living fossil. The order contains only one species, Sphenodon punctatus, the tuatara of New Zealand. This survives only in the Bay of Plenty, and it has protected status. The skull is of the primitive diapsid type, with a fixed quadrate bone. The teeth are fused to the edge of the jaw (acrodont), with a tendency to develop a beak-like structure anteriorly.
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rhynchocephalia." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rhynchocephalia." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-Rhynchocephalia.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rhynchocephalia." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-Rhynchocephalia.html

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Rhynchocephalia

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

Rhynchocephalia (‘beak-heads’, rhynchocephalians; class Reptilia, subclass Lepidosauria) An order of primitive, lizard-like reptiles, dating from the Triassic, that contains only one family, the Sphenodontidae, comprising one species, Sphenodon punctatus, the tuatara of New Zealand.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rhynchocephalia." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rhynchocephalia." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Rhynchocephalia.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rhynchocephalia." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Rhynchocephalia.html

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