Peltobatrachus

Pel-toe-ba-track-us.
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Cassidy Wood

Paleoentomologist

Cassidy Wood uncovers the tiny yet significant world of prehistoric insects. Her research on amber-preserved specimens has revealed intricate details about ancient ecosystems.

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Name

Peltobatrachus (Shield frog).

Phonetic

Pel-toe-ba-track-us.

Named By

Panchen - 1959.

Classification

Chordata, Amphibia, Temnospondyli, Stereospondyli, Peltobatrachidae.

Diet

Carnivore/insectivore.

Species

P. Pustulatus

Size

70 centimetres long.

Known locations

Tanzania.

Time Period

Late Permian.

Fossil representation

Despite the current recovered material, the teeth are still unknown.

In Depth

       Peltobatrachus had an arrangement of bony armour plates that ran down the length of its body similar to an armadillo. Although it lived on the land, Peltobatrachus probably still had to return to water to lay its eggs like other amphibians.

Further Reading

Further reading- A new armoured amphibian from the Upper Permian of East Africa. – Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B 242:207-281. – A. L. Panchen – 1959.

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