noun
- Plural of acrodont; reptiles (especially certain lizards and snakes) whose teeth are fused to the top edge of the jaw bone rather than set in sockets.
Usage: zoology; technical term
Examples
- Acrodonts include many species of agamid lizards found in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
- The teeth of acrodonts are firmly attached to the jaw ridge, making them less likely to be shed.
- Paleontologists study acrodonts to understand the evolution of reptilian dentition.
- Unlike thecodonts, acrodonts do not have teeth set in individual sockets.