desmostylian

English

Etymology

From translingual Desmostylia + -ian.

Adjective

desmostylian (not comparable)

1. Of or pertaining to the Desmostylia, an extinct order of marine mammals.

Noun

desmostylian (plural desmostylians)

1. Any member of the Desmostylia.
   • 2016 January 16, “Gigantism and Its Implications for the History of Life”, in PLOS ONE‎^[1], →DOI:

     Herbivores have been the largest bottom-dwelling marine animals since at least the Late Oligocene, with the evolution of desmostylians and the Early Pliocene replacement by large sirenians, and perhaps since the Late Cretaceous if some sea turtles were herbivorous at that time.