In Depth Limnoscelis is a genus of diadectomorph that lived in North America during the early Permian period. Diadectomorphs (there name taken from the genus Diadectes) are often identified as being herbivorous, though Limnoscelis seems to be an exception to this with the dentition and body form of a primitive predator. Limnoscelis however was not … Read more
In Depth For the Carboniferous period Eogyrinus was a particularly large predator that had an almost eel-like body that measured out over four meters in length. This body, which featured limbs severely reduced in physical size, was an adaptation to swimming and hunting in Carboniferous swamps which would have been clogged with dense weeds, submerged … Read more
In Depth Diadectes was discovered and named twice by both Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope, the two central players of the ‘bone wars’. Marsh named it Nothodon while five days later Cope released the name Diadectes. Normally under these circumstances, Nothodon would have precedence but in a twist, when they were synonymized in … Read more
In Depth Westlothiana has caused some confusion among researchers as to whether it should be called reptile or amphibian. While it does have some reptilian features such as no otic notch and unfused ankle bones, the main skeletal structure has features that are reminiscent of the early terrestrial amphibians. This has led to the term … Read more
In Depth Anthracosaurus is believed to have been a member of the Embolomeri, a sub group of the reptilomorphs. So far only elements of the skull are known, but if Anthracosaurus had a body similar in form to it relatives like Archeria, then the body and tail would have been long and slender and up … Read more