a. Ornith. [f. mod.L. Taxaspidea, neut. pl. (f. Gr. τάξις arrangement + ἀσπίς shield) + -AN.] Belonging to the division Taxaspidea of passerine birds, having the metatarsus regularly scutellated behind.
1872. Coues, Key N. Amer. Birds, 509. In some rare cases, as Philepittidæ, the plantar laminæ are rectangular, in regular series, giving the taxaspidean arrangement.
1899. A. H. Evans, in Cambr. Nat. Hist., IX. 488. The taxaspidean metatarsus is moderate or short in the Thamnophilinæ, and remarkably long in the Grallariinæ.
