A major group of amniotic vertebrates (living and extinct) characterized by having two openings (fenestrae) in the temporal region of the skull behind each eye; includes all modern reptiles, birds, and dinosaurs.
From Greek 'dia-' (two) + 'apsid' (from 'apsis,' arch). Named by scientists for the diagnostic two-arched temporal fenestra pattern, distinguishing them from synapsids.
Diapsids are basically everything cool in the reptile world—lizards, snakes, crocodiles, dinosaurs, and birds all belong here, making them one of the most successful vertebrate groups ever!
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