Anthracosaurus

/ˌænθrəkəˈsɔːrəs/ noun

Definition

A prehistoric reptile or supposed ancient creature named with reference to coal or a coal-bearing environment.

Etymology

From anthracis (Greek 'coal') + sauros (Greek 'lizard'). This paleontological term reflects naming conventions for extinct species from coal-rich deposits.

Kelly Says

Anthracosaurus is a great example of how paleontologists named dinosaurs after where they found them—if fossils came from coal beds, they'd reference coal in the name, which told you something about that ancient ecosystem.

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