In Depth Ennatosaurus is a genus of caseid pelycosaur that in Russia during the later stages of the Permian. These kinds of pelycosaurs are noted for their herbivorous diets and powerful fore limbs which may have been used for digging up plants. The most interesting thing about Ennatosaurus is that when the first remains were … Read more
In Depth Although it did not have the large sail supporting spines that other pelycosaurs like Dimetrodon, Secodontosaurus, Ctenospondylus and Edaphosaurus had, Sphenacodon still possessed enlarged neural spines rising from its vertebrae. These are considered to have been the supports for powerful dorsal muscles that would allow Sphenacodon to undertake powerful strikes towards is prey, … Read more
In Depth Although similar to Casea, Cotylorhynchus was considerably larger and at six meters long, represents the largest known caseid pelycosaur. This large size was its best defence against the known predators of the time which were all much smaller than Cotylorhynchus, even the largest example of the fearsome Dimetrodon was still only half its … Read more
In Depth Eothyris is currently only known from a skull, but from this a little can be inferred about the lifestyle of this genus. The mouth was filled with sharp and pointed teeth, with a pair of enlarged fangs that were near the front of the upper jaw. These were likely used to snare and … Read more
In Depth Nitosaurus is a genus of pelycosaur that lived in North America during the late Carboniferous. Further Reading - New genera and species of pelycosaurian reptiles. - Proceedings of the New England Zo�logical Club 16:89-95. - A. S. Romer - 1937.
In Depth In the simplest terms, Ianthasaurus was a smaller and earlier relative to the famous Edaphosaurus, However with this said there were many differences. First and perhaps most obviously is that generally Ianthasaurus were not as advanced in their physical developments, not surprising given that Ianthasaurus appeared in the Carboniferous whereas Edaphosaurus appears in … Read more
In Depth Oromycter is a genus of caseid pelycosaur that lived in Oklahoma during the Permian. As a caseid, Oromycter would have been related to genera such as Casea and Cotylorhynchus. Further Reading - Oromycter, a New Caseid from the Lower Permian of Oklahoma. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 25(4):905-910. - R. R. Reisz - … Read more
In Depth Macromerion is a genus of sphenacodont pelycosaur that lived in Europe during the Carboniferous. Further Reading - Lower Permian pelycosaurs from the English midlands. - Paleontology 17 (3): 541-552. - R. L. Paton - 1974.
In Depth As a late surviving member of the group, Varanops is often cited as one of the last of the pelycosaurs. With its relatively long legs, Varanops may have been more suited to open ground, as opposed to dense undergrowth where they may have been of a hindrance. They may have also provided for … Read more
In Depth Although Ophiacodon lacked a sail like that on the more famous Dimetrodon, Ophiacodon was more of the standard morphology for the pelycosaurs. How Ophiacodon lived and hunted is still a matter of debate today with some claiming that it was a semi aquatic carnivore that fed on fish and amphibians. Support for this … Read more