Definition
diphyodonts
noun
- Animals that have two successive sets of teeth during their lifetime, typically a set of deciduous (baby) teeth followed by permanent adult teeth.
Usage: technical; zoology; plural form of diphyodont
Examples
- Humans are diphyodonts, developing baby teeth that are later replaced by permanent teeth.
- Most mammals, including dogs and cats, are diphyodonts.
- Diphyodonts differ from sharks, which are polyphyodonts and continuously replace their teeth throughout life.
- The study of diphyodonts helps paleontologists understand mammalian evolution.
- Children lose their deciduous teeth as part of the normal development of diphyodonts.