A
adaptive radiation: the diversification of a group of organisms into forms filling different ecologic niches
astragalus: one of a group of bones that comprise the tarsus (ankle) which connects the foot with the rest of the leg
atrophy: the degeneration of an organ or appendage due to lack of use or to become vestigial during evolution
B
basal: being primitive or ancestral
bunodont: condition in which the cheek teeth have low, rounded cusps
C
caudal: of or pertaining to the tail
cervical: of or pertaining to the neck
clade: a group of organisms believed to have evolved from a common ancestor
cursorial: having limbs adapted specifically for running
D
derived: in biology, possessing features not present in or modified from an ancestral form
didactyl: having two digits on the manus and/or pes
digitigrade: walking on the toes and not touching the ground with the palms (manus) or soles (pes)
H
heterodont: an animal possessing multiple tooth morphologies in its mouth
homodont: an animal possessing a single tooth morphology its mouth
K
keratin: a fibrous structural protein in vertebrates which comprises skin, horn and claw sheathes, and external body coverings such as hair
L
land mammal age (LMA): intervals of geologic time characterized by a distinctive set of mammals
lumbar: of or pertaining to the lower back
M
manus: the distal portion of the forelimb that includes the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges; i. e. the hand
monodactyl: having a single digit on the manus and/or pes
N
niche: a specialized position or role taken up by an organism within its community
P
pentodactyl: having five digits on the manus and/or pes
pes: the distal portion of the hindlimb that includes the tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges; i. e. the foot
phylogeny: the branch of biology that deals with the evolutionary history of organisms and how they relate to one another
plantigrade: walking on the complete surface area of the foot, including the soles
S
selenodont:
synonym: a scientific name that applies to a taxon which now goes by a different name
T
taxon: a taxonomic group of any rank such as family, genus, or species (plural: taxa)
taxonomy: branch of biology concerned with classifying organisms; systematics
tetradactyl: having four digits on the manus and/or pes
thoracic: of or pertaining to the upper back
tridactyl: having three digits on the manus and/or pes
U
unguligrade: walking only on the tips of the toes, which are modified into hooves
V
vestigial: the degeneration or loss of an organ during evolution due to underuse
W
wastebasket taxon: a temporary taxon whose purpose is to classify organisms that do not fit anywhere else
Drawing With Beasts 