In Depth Pholiderpeton was a genus of semi aquatic reptiliomorph that lived in England during the Carboniferous period. However, in recent time there has been speculation that Pholiderpeton and another well-known genus named Eogyrinus may actually represent the same genus of animal. If this is true then the first genus to be named would take … Read more
In Depth Deltaherpeton is a genus of temnospondyl amphibian that lived in what is now the USA during the Carboniferous. Deltaherpeton is noted as having a similarity to both Colosteus and Pholidogaster. Further Reading - Deltaherpeton hiemstrae, a new colosteid tetrapod from the Mississippian of Iowa. - Journal of Paleontology 84(6):1135-1151. - J. R. Bolt … Read more
In Depth Greererpeton did not follow the other tetrapods onto land, instead it remained as an aquatic predator. Support for this style of life comes from poorly developed hearing, evidence of a lateral line (sensory apparatus found in fish), reduced limbs and an extended spine giving it a more eel like appearance. This suggests that … Read more
In Depth Ichthyostega is considered to be one of the important transitional links between marine and fully terrestrial vertebrates. With lungs that were surrounded by a rib cage that was composed of overlapping ribs, Ichthyostega was able to spend time upon the land without suffocating under its own weight. The spine was also stronger with … Read more
In Depth Although it had several reptilian features, Seymouria was actually an amphibian. This creature displays a strong backbone and muscle growth for movement on land, and hearing adapted for use out of water. It’s possible that its preferred form of locomotion would have been a side to side undulating motion like modern lizards, this … Read more
In Depth Proterogyrinus seems to have been adapted for locomotion on both land and in the water. The tail, being broad and flattened would have provided efficient power in the water, while the limbs are developed for terrestrial movement. In particular, the increased number of toe bones would have given Proterogyrinus greater dexterity on land … Read more
In Depth Analysis of the location of the find suggests that Casineria lived in a dry environment and was quite possibly one of the first amniotes, laying eggs on dry land as opposed to having to return to the water for spawning. Because Casineria had claws, it would already have the genetic requirement to form … Read more
In Depth Solenodonsaurus is named after having teeth that are the same type, sharp and slightly curved, suitable for catching insects. The ear structure is simple and probably could only pick up lower pitch sounds. While it has been placed in Reptilomorpha under labyrinthodonts, it does not have the characteristic labyrinthodont teeth. The spine however … Read more
In Depth Often considered a dinosaur, Dimetrodon was actually one of the pelycosaurs and predated the earliest dinosaurs by tens of millions of years. Its popularity comes from the massive sail that is carried erect on its back, the exact purpose of which is still unknown, but it has been speculated to being for display … Read more
In Depth Fedexia was discovered in 2004 by Adam Striegal, a university student at the time. It acquired its name because the land it was discovered on was owned by the FedEx Corporation. When first examined, Fedexia was mistaken for a fern because of the arrangement of teeth. Study by Charles Jones, the class lecturer, … Read more