mammalian etymology

Etymology

The term "mammalian" is derived from the Latin word "mamma," which means "breast."

Meaning

Mammalian refers to animals that belong to the class Mammalia, which is characterized by the following defining features:

• Mammary glands that produce milk to nourish their young
• Hair or fur
• Three middle ear bones (malleus, incus, stapes)
• A four-chambered heart
• A diaphragm separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities
• Warm-bloodedness (endothermy)

Origin

The term "mammalian" was first coined by the Swedish taxonomist Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 work, "Systema Naturae." Linnaeus divided the animal kingdom into classes, and he placed animals with mammary glands in the class Mammalia.

Other Interesting Facts

• Mammals are the most diverse group of vertebrates, with over 6,000 known species.
• Mammals range in size from the tiny Etruscan shrew, which weighs only 2 grams, to the massive blue whale, which can weigh over 200 tons.
• Mammals can be found on all continents and in all major habitats, from the depths of the ocean to the tops of mountains.
• Mammals play important roles in ecosystems as predators, herbivores, pollinators, and seed dispersers.

mammalian relate terms

• mammal

  Etymology The word mammal is derived from the Latin word mamma which means breast

• Mammalia

  Etymology Latin Mammalia Meaning Mammals Origin The term Mammalia comes from t

• mamma

  Meaning Mother Female parent of a child Etymology From Latin mamma meaning bre

• whale

  Etymology The word whale comes from the Old English word hwæl which is thought to

• abdomen

  Etymology Latin abdomen from Medieval Latin abdomen Greek ἀβδόμην abdomen

• hair

  Etymology The word hair comes from the Proto Germanic word harja which is related t

• coat

  Etymology The word coat comes from the Old French word cote which in turn comes from

• stoic

  Etymology The word stoic is derived from the Greek word Στωικός Stoikos wh

• keel

  Etymology The word keel comes from the Middle English word kele which is derived fr

• kudos

  Etymology Late Latin quod deus meaning because God wills it as God wills it Mediev

• potential

  Etymology The term etymology comes from the Greek words etymon meaning true meanin

• epitome

  Etymology of Epitome The word epitome originates from the Greek word epitome meaning

• kettle

  Etymology The word kettle derives from the Old English word cetel which referred to