anapsid reptile

noun phrase

Meaning

A member of a group of primitive reptiles characterized by a skull lacking openings behind the eye sockets.

Examples

  • Paleontologists study the fossilized remains of the anapsid reptile to understand early vertebrate evolution.
  • The classification of the anapsid reptile has been debated due to the unique skull structure of modern turtles.

Synonyms: primitive reptile, stem reptile