Milleretta

Mill-eh-ret-ah.
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Liam Carter

Paleoanthropologist

Liam Carter explores the roots of humanity by studying early human fossils and artifacts. His ground-breaking work has provided a deeper understanding of our ancestors' lifestyles and social structures.

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Name

Milleretta‭ (‬Miller's little one‭).

Phonetic

Mill-eh-ret-ah.

Named By

Robert Broom‭ ‬-‭ ‬1938.

Classification

Chordata, ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Anapsida,‭ ‬Millerettidae.

Diet

Insectivore.

Species

M.‭ ‬rubidgei

Size

60‭ ‬centimetres long.

Known locations

South Africa.

Time Period

Late Permian.

Fossil representation

One fossil specimen.

In Depth

       The superficial morphology of Milleretta is that of a modern lizard with an array of sharp teeth suited for work on insects.‭ ‬Milleretta is considered an anapsid on the basis that the skull has no openings behind the eye socket.‭ ‬Early study of the skull did reveal two depressions at the back of the skull that caused some doubt to this classification,‭ ‬but further study has revealed that they were likely there to accommodate eardrums.‭ ‬This in turn has led to speculation that Milleretta had very good hearing and possibly used this to locate its prey.‭

Further Reading

– A note on the postcranial skeleton of Milleretta (Amniota: Parareptilia). – Chris E. Gow – 1997.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT