Diprotodon (diprotodon)

δι-, two-, + πρῶτος, first, + ὁδών, Ionic form of ὀδούς (ὀδοντ-) = E. tooth.] 1. A genus of extinct marsupial quadrupeds, surpa ing the rhinoceros in size. They had 3 incisors on each side of the upper and 1 on each side of the lower jaw; no canines; 1 premolar and 4 molars on each side of each jaw; the median upper incisors large and scalpriform; the molars transversely ridged, as in the kangaroo, but without the longitudinal connecting ridge; and the hind limbs le disproportionately enlarged. The dentition of this genus gives name to the diprotodont pattern of primitive herbivorous marsupials. D. australis is a species found in the Post tertiary of Australia. 2. [ l . c.] An animal of this genus. Diprotodon , an animal holding the same place amongst the Australian mammals that the pachyderms do amongst the fauna of other continents. Science , VI. 321. diprotodont (di-prōtō-dont), a. and n. [ Di pro to don(t-).] I. a. Having two lower front teeth; noting the herbivorous type of dent i tion in marsupial mammals, in which the median incisors are prominent, and the lateral incisors and canines small or wanting; specifically, having the characters of the genus Dipro todon : opposed to polyprotodont . II. n. An animal of the genus Diprotodon ; a marsupial with diprotodont dentition. Diprotodont i a (di-prō-to-don's hi-ä), n. pl. [NL., Diprotodon ( t- ) + -ia2 .] A group of marsupials characterized by the diprotodont dentition.