In Depth
Although only first described from a skull, Saharastega shows similarities to Nigerpeton, and together the two genera are considered to be primitive members of the Temnospondyli. As with its other relatives, Saharastega probably never strayed too far from water where they were best adapted to live and hunt, though most temnospondyl amphibians could leave the water if they so wished.
Further Reading
- Permian tetrapods from the Sahara show climate-controlled endemism in Pangaea. - Nature 434:886-889 - C. A. Sidor, F. R. O’Keefe, R. Damiani, J. S. Steyer, R. M. H. Smith, H. C. E. Larsson, P. C. Sereno, O. Ide & A. Maga - 2005. - The vertebrate fauna of the Upper Permian of Niger. V. The primitive temnospondyl Saharastega moradiensis - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 26 (3): 559–572 - R. Damiani . C. A. Sidor, J. S. Steyer, R. M. H. Smith, H. C. E. Larsson, A. Maga & O. Ide - 2006.
