Diplocaulus

Dip-low-cawl-us.
By John Stewart
Published on

John Stewart

Paleoecologist

John Stewart is a distinguished paleoecologist whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of prehistoric ecosystems. With over two decades dedicated to unearthing fossils across Asia and Africa

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Stewart, J. (2014, December 8). Diplocaulus. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/diplocaulus/

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Name

Diplocaulus‭ (‬Double stalk‭)‬.

Phonetic

Dip-low-cawl-us.

Named By

Cope‭ ‬-‭ ‬1882.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Amphibia,‭ ‬Lepospondyli,‭ ‬Nectridea,‭ ‬Keraterpetontidae.

Diet

Carnivore/piscivore.

Species

D.‭ ‬salamandroides

Size

1‭ ‬meter long.

Known locations

USA,‭ ‬Texas.

Time Period

Permian.

Fossil representation

Several Specimens.

In Depth

       The unusual boomerang shape of the head has been a source of interest ever since its discovery.‭ ‬The two main theories are that it either functioned as a hydrofoil allowing it to move in strong currents,‭ ‬or that it made it impossible for other predators to swallow. It may have course been a form of recognition between members of the same species.

Further Reading

Further reading

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